Fire forces submarine to surface, call for aid

By The Associated Press

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LONDON — A submarine that the Canadian Navy had just received from Britain was forced to surface off the Irish coast and send a distress call yesterday after a fire began on board.

A few of the 57 crew members aboard HMCS Chicoutimi suffered smoke inhalation, said Canadian navy spokesman Mike Bonin. But otherwise there were no injuries.

"Everybody on board is safe," Bonin said. "There was a small fire on board. It was quickly put out. The sub has surfaced and is awaiting a tug to take it to somewhere along the European coast."

The diesel-electric-powered Chicoutimi had been headed to Halifax two days after Britain handed it over to Canada. On Saturday, it was rechristened from its British name, the HMS Upholder, in a ceremony at a naval base in Faslane, Scotland.

Canada, which has been trying to build up its submarine fleet, bought the sub and three other Victoria-class submarines from Britain. But critics say the diesel-electric-powered subs have a checkered history, cost too much and are not in good shape.

Bonin said there was no immediate word on how or where the fire started. The blaze was extinguished and no evacuation was needed, though the engines were shut down as a precaution, he said. The sub surfaced about 150 miles northwest of Ireland.

Capt. Holly Apostoliuk, a Canadian Forces spokeswoman, said crew members were working with Britain's Royal Navy to decide on how to move the submarine.

A search-and-rescue helicopter was sent to assist the vessel.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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