'Anglian
Monarch' had been on station for less than 24 hours; replacing the
ETV 'Far Turbot', when at 4:30 a.m. the French Coastguard contacted
Dover Coastguard to assist with the 'Autofreighter' incident.
The vessel's engine room was sealed and pumped full of CO2 in an
attempt to quell the fire. The fire in the engine room of the car
carrier has gone out, a coastguard spokesman said. The 13 crew on
board, made up of British, Irish and Portuguese, are all said to be
uninjured. The vessel is carrying 395 vehicles.
Anglian Monarch stood by the 6000 GT, Norwegian registered vessel
as the French Coastguard deal with the situation.
Rescue teams are making sure the fire has not re-ignited before
the vessel, which is carrying 395 cars, is towed into Calais or
Dunkirk.
