Fire-stricken Norwegian ferry listing heavily

Sep 16, 2011, 8:17 GMT

Oslo - Extra water pumps were deployed Friday as part of efforts to prevent a fire-stricken passenger ferry from capsizing off the western coast of Norway, police and emergency services said.

The fire, in which two crew members died, broke out Thursday as the Nordlys ferry was approaching the town of Alesund.

The damaged vessel was listing heavily at the quay in Alesund, but during the course of the day there were signs that it had been stabilized.

'It looks a little brighter,' ferry operator chief Olav Fjell told a news conference. But, like Alesund police chief Jon Steven Hasseldal, he said the situation was not fully under control.

Emergency services were on standby in case of an oil spill, should the vessel capsize.

Police and emergency services believe the fire was caused by an explosion in the engine room. An accident investigation was to be launched.

Fjell said four crew members remained in hospital, two of whom were in serious condition.

The ferry's 207 passengers included foreign nationals who were being helped with practical matters, such as provisional passports and tickets, Fjell said.

The ferry is part of the so-called 'hurtigruten' service that transports passengers, vehicles and supplies along the Norwegian west coast and is popular among tourists.

Two crew members told the news conference that events had unfolded 'very rapidly' and smoke filled the ship within a few minutes.