No injuries have been reported after a fire broke out on a ferry crossing between Caribou, Nova Scotia and Woods Harbour, Prince Edward Island.
Staff at the Woods Harbour Terminal confirmed to our newsroom the fire at around 11 a.m. on Friday, which is now out.
Officials say it’s believed the fire was in the engine room of the MV Holiday Island.
The Holiday Island is deploying lifeboats!!!!! Yikes!!! pic.twitter.com/Ek3L4So5Gd
— The Sound Mill / J0N M
(@thesoundmill) July 22, 2022
RCMP and fire crews responded to the wharf, while fishers on shore headed out in their boats to help bring passengers back to the island.
“We’re just assisting other agencies in getting to the scene, like emergency services, we don’t have an active role in the investigation or the rescue,” said a spokesperson for the RCMP in P.E.I.
The Halifax Joint Rescue Coordination Centre tweeted that 182 passengers and 18 Crew were all assisted off the ferry.
(SOURCE: Jim Gennoe.)
Seven local firefighters were on board to fight the fire. All passengers were taken ashore.
At 11:17 am, JRCC Halifax received a distress call indicating that the Northumberland Ferry “Holiday Island” suffered a fire in their engine room and subsequently ran aground.
— HfxJRCC_CCCOS (@hfxjrcc) July 22, 2022
Search and Rescue aircraft from 14 Wing Greenwood, and Canadian Coast Guard Vessels are on scene and have safely disembarked 182 passengers. 18 Crew and 7 local firefighters remain on board to fight the fire.
— HfxJRCC_CCCOS (@hfxjrcc) July 22, 2022
Local fire, police & paramedics are on scene. As all passengers have been taken ashore, local authorities and the ferry operators are responsible for any updates. SAR assets will remain in place to assist if required.
— HfxJRCC_CCCOS (@hfxjrcc) July 22, 2022
“There are no known injuries,” the statement says. “We apologize for the inconvenience.”
With files from Skye Bryden-Blom and Tara Clow.
