UPDATE: The fire on the MSC Lirica was extinguished at 6:58 p.m. local time in Corfu, Greece, a little over three hours after it was reported. No injuries were reported among the 51 crew who were on board the ship at the time of the incident. MSC Cruises said the fire originated in one of the ship's starboard-side fiberglass lifeboats on Deck 6.
"From a preliminary assessment, there was no damage to the inside of the ship but only to her side due to the flames and the dense black smoke caused by the fiberglass lifeboats," a company statement said. A full investigation is in progress.
A fire was burning on the MSC Lirica in Corfu, Greece, sending up plumes of black smoke that were visible for miles.
MSC Cruises said no injuries were reported among the 51 crew who were on board the ship at the time of the incident. The ship is currently in warm lay-up, which means essential machinery is maintained with a smaller crew and could be brought back into service somewhat faster than a complete cold lay-up.
"A full incident response operation is currently underway with the support of the local emergency services," at midday Eastern time, the company said in a statement.
Photos and videos filled social media feeds.
MSC Cruises said it appears the fire started in an empty lifeboat on Deck 6.
The 65,591-gross-ton ship entered service in 2003. It can accommodate 2,548 passengers.
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