About 600 guests were evacuated off the cruise ship Viking Orion in Sydney Harbour after a fire broke out in one of the ship’s guest staterooms. According to reports the fire broke out on Friday, February 3, at about 8:10 am and was extinguished at 8:40 am. while the ship was moored at White Bay in Sydney. The fire was suspected to have been caused by an electrical device in a guest cabin. 

Viking Cruises said the fire was extinguished within minutes by the ship’s crew, and there were no injuries reported during the incident. 

#BREAKING: 600 people have been evacuated from the Viking Orion cruise ship on the Harbour - after a fire broke out in three rooms. #9News pic.twitter.com/Zpg6xQOavX

— 9News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) February 2, 2023

Viking Spokesperson released the following statement regarding the incident:

"We can confirm that a small fire occurred in a guest stateroom on board the Viking Orion while the ship was docked in Sydney the morning of February 3 (local time). 

The fire was extinguished within minutes by the ship’s crew, and there were no injuries. Viking is fully investigating the incident, and early reports indicate the cause of the fire was electrical, possibly from a corded device. 

All scheduled operations on board the Viking Orion have continued, and we do not expect any disruption to the current voyage."

Fire and Rescue New South Wales said were called to White Bay Cruise Terminal after the fire was reported. Fire and Rescue NSW said the fire started in guest cabin on Deck 5 of the ship. Fire and Rescue NSW crews used thermal imaging to make sure the fire was completely extinguished.

“FRNSW have assisted the ship's crew to contain the fire with complete extinguishment. This stopped the fire spreading to adjoining cabins. As a precaution Deck 5 and 6 of the ship have been evacuated with the remainder of the ship maintaining its normal operations.

Passengers have been allowed to disembark to carry on with their daily activities. Two passengers were assessed by paramedics but were not transported to hospital.

FRNSW will continue to work with the ship's captain and crew to work out the source of the fire.” Fire and Rescue New South Wales said in a statement.

Viking Orion's current cruise is 14 Night Australia & New Zealand voyage from Sydney to Auckland. In a statement Viking said it does not expect the fire to impact the ship's current cruise schedule.

Photo Credit: FRNSW