Ferry Fire Off Puerto Rico Forces All To Abandon Ship

The ship Caribbean Fantasy reported a fire after it launched from Santo Domingo en route to San Juan Wednesday. According to the United States Coast Guard, around 7:42 a.m., the USCG received 911 call, reporting a fire that started in the engine room. A rescue is underway with passengers preparing to abandon ship. The crew also is abandoning ship and there are reports of people in the water. The ship, described by the Coast Guard as a passenger/car ferry, is 1 mile off San Juan Harbor with 512 passengers on board. Local rescue crews and air support also are responding.