The 180 meter long, 7509 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Pride of Canterbury caught fire off Calais, France. The Pride of Canterbury departed on a regular scheduled crossing of the English Channel with 337 passengers and 119 crew from Dover, England.  A fire broke out in the engine room releasing a dense black flume of toxic smoke. Passengers had difficulty breathing as ash fell on the deck. The sprinkler system was able to extinguish the blaze some 20 minutes later.  No reports of injuries to passengers or crew. The Pride of Canterbury was pulled from service to be inspected for damage.  Reports state the fire started in the vessel’s starboard engine.

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