Vehicle fire extinguished on Oban to Barra ferry

The lifeboat pulled alongside the MV Isle of Lewis

A fire broke out in a vehicle on a ferry operating between Oban in Argyll and Castlebay in Barra in the Western Isles.

A volunteer crew from the Tobermory lifeboat helped local firefighters reach the blaze on the MV Isle of Lewis after being alerted at about 15:25.

The RNLI confirmed the fire started on the vehicle deck in what is believed to have been a campervan.

It was brought under control by ferry crewmembers.

Three members of the Scottish Fire and Rescue service and one member of the Tobermory coastguard team were transported to the vessel.

Two of the fire crew boarded the ferry with breathing apparatus to assess the situation.

Operator CalMac said the fire service had agreed that there was no danger to the ship, and the ferry continued to Castlebay as planned.

Deputy Second Coxswain Dave Underwood said: "Thanks to the swift actions of the ferry crew, any danger to passengers and crew was averted before we were on scene.

"We are pleased with the successful outcome of this call out and glad to be of assistance in transporting members of the Scottish Fire and Rescue service to ensure the ferry was safe to continue her journey."