Life jackets issued after fire breaks out aboard ferry

Life jackets were issued to passengers and crew after a fire broke out on board a ferry sailing today.

More than 600 people were on the Stena Voyager's 9.55am crossing from Stranraer to Belfast during the emergency.

The alert followed a small blaze in one of the engine rooms, operator Stena Line confirmed.

In a statement, the company said: "In line with established health and safety procedures, the general emergency alarm was sounded for passengers and staff and in accordance with these procedures, emergency life jackets were issued to passengers and staff as a precaution.

"The fire was contained within the confines of the engine room and no passengers or staff were injured as a result of the incident.''

The incident, which began just before 11.30am, ended soon after.

Stena Line said 555 passengers and 46 crew were on board at the time.

The Voyager was able to continue its journey into Belfast Port.