Eight Bell Island ferry workers have been released from hospital following a fire aboard the Flanders on Thursday.
It happened in the engine room around noon as the vessel was pulling away from the dock in Portugal Cove.
The eight workers were taken to hospital to be checked out and treated for smoke inhalation.
Area MHA Fred Hutton told VOCM News Friday morning that they have all since been released.
Hutton said the Flanders was carrying a nearly full load of passengers at the time of the fire.
“Fortunately, they were close to shore at the time,” adding that the captain and crew ought to be commended for quickly getting the vessel safely back to the wharf.
Meanwhile, the Flanders will remain out of service pending an investigation and repairs.
As a result, the ferry Beaumont Hamel will join the Legionnaire to limit the amount of disruption on the Bell Island run.
Ironically, area MHA Fred Hutton and Transportation Minister John Abbott were on Bell Island for meetings with the ferry users committee and council regarding the service, when the fire occurred.
Hutton and Abbott had travelled to and from the island yesterday on the Legionnaire.
An official with Occupational Health and Safety, which is investigating the fire, accompanied the eight workers to the hospital.
It’s not clear how long the Flanders will be out of service.