LONDON - A ship with 708 passengers on board was on fire in the
English Channel near Beachy Head early Saturday, a coastguard
spokesman said.
"The ship has its lifeboats out but not lowered and we are
monitoring the situation," the spokesman said, adding that there
had been no order to abandon ship.
The fire started at 3:47 am (0247 GMT) in the engine room. The
cause of the fire was not known.
The liner, called the Calypso, was located 20 miles (30 kilometres)
off the southeast England town of Eastbourne, Sky TV
reported.
Airforce and coastguard helicopters were said to be on the way to
the scene.
The ownership, route and nationalities of those on board were not
immediately known.
