Marine firefighters were airlifted onto a passenger ferry in the middle of the Channel Tunnel - after a 'fire’ broke out.

The 20 specially-trained crews were involved in an exercise based on a fire breaking out onboard a passenger ferry.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service’s Maritime Incident Response Group was airlifted onto the Norfolkline vessel – floating in the English Channel - by RAF helicopter from Manston yesterday afternoon.

The exercise, carried out with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, pushed firefighters’ skills to the limit as they used marine equipment to help deal with the 'fire’ in the vehicle compartment of the ship.

Crews tested equipment specifically designed for firefighting at sea, including adapted hose reels and heat-sensing devices.

The Maersk Delft ship was en route from Dover to Dunkerque and full of passengers, although they were made aware that it was only a drill.

Gavin Hayward, of KFRS’s training and development department, said: “We are required to test our maritime response to incidents at sea on a regular basis, working with our partner agencies the MCA and RAF.

“Norfolkline have very kindly hosted the exercise today, which has allowed Kent firefighters to work alongside staff from Norfolkline, not only in firefighting, but with communications to the Coastguard and issues such as ship stability and tactical planning.”

Adrian Bates, coastal safety manager – South East from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency added: “Marine Incident Response Teams now form an integral part of the United Kingdom’s search and rescue response. They also have the airborne capacity to react to incidents anywhere in the country, not just at sea.”

Factfile

• Marine Incident Response Groups are based in 15 counties throughout the UK, with about 50 firefighters in each team.

• Kent has 63 marine-trained firefighters.

• Teams are equipped with lighter, more compact equipment and can not only fight fires but also deal with chemical hazards and free any trapped personnel.

• The initiative is supported by almost £3m of funding from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Department for Transport.

• Kent has 139 miles of coastline.