Russian Research Vessel Catches Fire off Norway

On Sunday night, Norwegian emergency crews responded to a fire onboard a Russian research vessel, 70 miles northwest of Ørlandet on the coast of Sor-Trondelag.

Two Sea King Helicopters, a fire fighting vessel and several other nearby vessels responded to the emergency onboard the AKADEMIK LAZAREV. The fire that began in the ships living quarters, was extinguished just after midnight.

Despite rough seas and high winds the fire was put out quickly and no one was injured. A spokesperson for the Sola rescue center, says none of the 40 crewmembers onboard were injured and no one asked to be evacuated.

Officials say the bridge on the seismic research vessel suffered some damage and some cabins were badly burned. The Russian-flagged AKADEMIK LAZAREV was built in 1987 and is owned and operated by the seismic research company Sevmorneftegeofizika based in Murmansk.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.