DFDS ferry fire cost nearly a million in damage

Wednesday, 03 Jan, 2014 0

The fire on board the DFDS ferry caused around £800,000 in damage, a court heard this week.

The figure was disclosed when Boden Hughes, 26, from Sunderland, appeared at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court charged with arson reckless to endangering life and affray.

He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Newcastle Crown Court on January 14. No pleas were entered.

Another man, 28, who was also arrested on suspicion of affray, was released on bail on Monday.

DFDS confirmed there were 946 passengers and 127 crew members on board the ferry, King Seaways, when the fire broke out in a passenger cabin.

A pregnant passenger and five crew had to be airlifted to hospital to be treated for smoke-related injuries. They were later discharged.

Another 17 passengers and crew were checked by a doctor on board.

DFDS said crew acted quickly and the fire was extinguished within 15 minutes.

The ship was around 30 miles off Flamborough Head when the incident happened. It had to be returned to Newcastle and passengers had to disembark, after being interviewed by police.

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Bev

Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.

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