One Dead, 11 Injured in Cruise Ship Fire

On March 23, as Star Princess was en route from Grand Cayman to Montego Bay, a fire broke out in the passenger accommodations, and spread to adjacent cabins. Passengers were immediately notified of the fire using the public address system and requested to report to their muster stations. According to Princess Cruises, there was one passenger fatality following a cardiac arrest, two passengers with significant smoke inhalation injuries and nine passengers with minor complications resulting from smoke inhalation. The injured passengers have been stabilized in the ship's medical center. While the fire has been put out, there is still residual smoke throughout the affected area. The cause of the fire at this time is unknown. The ship wa carrying a total of 2,690 passengers and 1,123 crew members. A full damage assessment is being carried out now that the ship has arrived in Montego Bay.