Fire onboard P&O’s Pride of Hull forces return to port

The Pride of Hull lost power and became stranded in the River Humber on Tuesday night after a fire in the engine room, according to the Hull Daily Mail.

Smoke was seen billowing from the engine room.

The fire broke out shortly after the ship set sail from Hull at 8:30pm on October 20 en route to Rotterdam, where it was supposed to arrive at 8:30am on Wednesday morning.

But the P&O vessel never made it out of the Humber estuary.

All crew and passengers were reported safe and power remained available on the decks. Evacuation was not deemed necessary.

She was towed to port when tidal conditions improved.

“As soon as the tide allows, the ferry will be towed back to port. There is no risk to anyone on board. There is no need for evacuation and the incident is under control. The marine team will bring her back as soon as the tide permits,” a spokesman for Associated British Ports said as the incident occurred.

Two tugs were alongside the ferry as Humber RNLI lifeboat stood by.

The extent of the damage and whether there have been any injuries as a result of the fire is not yet known.