LANGKAWI – Passenger ferry Starcity Express No. 6 caught fire just as it was about to leave the Kuala Kedah ferry terminal in Kedah for Langkawi at about 4pm today.
All the 305 passengers onboard the ferry were taken to safety and transferred to the Myferry 2 passenger ferry, which later left for Langkawi at 5pm.
No one was injured in the incident.
The Northern Region Marine Department said in a statement that the fire was believed to have started from the engine room.
It added that a fire engine with volunteer firefighters from Kuala Kedah rushed to the scene and was later joined by another fire engine. The fire was brought under control at about 4.40pm.
The fire engines were stationed at the scene until 5.30pm to monitor the situation.
The department said there was no sign of an oil spill in the area.
It said an investigation team has been set up to investigate the cause of the incident. – The Vibes, May 11, 2021