The fire – the second to break out on the boat in the last two years – started at 1.20 pm and was extinguished with no one was injured, say the company.
All 220 passengers and 39 crew were assembled and accounted for but boat was forced to turn around and make its way back to Portsmouth.
The vessel returned to Portsmouth shortly after 6pm and accommodation arrangements and alternative travel were arranged for the passengers. It is not known how long the vessel will be out of action.
This is the second fire to break out on the boat within two years. In June 2010 while travelling between the Channel Islands and Portsmouth several freight vehicles were damaged and part of the vessel’s steering system was badly affected after a blaze started in the lower vehicle deck.
