Four on River Shannon cruiser escape injury after fire

‘White Lady’ made it to Banagher harbour in Co Offaly where fire crews put out blaze

Irish Coast Guard (file photograph): the alarm was raised at around 5pm when  those on the cruiser contacted the Coast Guard using  VHF radio. Photograph: Matt Kavanagh / The Irish Times
Irish Coast Guard (file photograph): the alarm was raised at around 5pm when those on the cruiser contacted the Coast Guard using VHF radio. Photograph: Matt Kavanagh / The Irish Times

Four people escaped injury on Saturday afternoon after a fire broke out on their cruise boat on the River Shannon.

The alarm was raised at around 5pm when the occupants of the cruiser contacted the Irish Coast Guard using their VHF radio.

The cruiser White Lady was close to Banagher in Co Offaly when the fire broke out in its engine exhaust system.

Watch officers at the Irish Coast Guard’s marine rescue sub centre on Valentia Island in Kerry maintained radio contact with those on board while emergency services were mobilised to assist.

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Two units of the fire brigade were sent to the harbour in Banagher after the vessel’s skipper confirmed that he still had power in his engine and would make his way there.

The Shannon-based search and rescue helicopter was also sent to the scene.

The boat moored in Banagher where it was met by fire service crews and ambulance paramedics. The cruiser was evacuated while fire crews dealt with the fire. The blaze was brought under control and no one was injured.