The cruise-ferry Stena Saga, which runs between Oslo and Fredrikshavn in Denmark, was hit by what’s been described as a minor explosion in its engine room Saturday evening, reported Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK). The blast sparked a fire that set off fire alarms, but it was quickly contained.
Alarmed residents south of Drøbak called emergency services when they saw smoke billowing from the ship and noted that it was off course in the sound leading into the inner Oslo Fjord.
A Stena Line spokesman confirmed that the explosion created a lot of smoke but claimed it was contained by the vessel’s sprinkling system in the engine room. The vessel drifted for a brief period but was able to continue sailing towards Oslo, where it arrived around 30 minutes late.
There were 1,392 passengers and a crew of 180 on board but the Stena spokesman said no evacuation was necessary. The incident caused no major damage, he said, and the ship was cleared to sail back to Denmark Saturday night.
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