Miami - A welder's spark in a laundry room may have touched off an "explosive-type" fire aboard the giant cruise ship, Ecstasy, off Miami on Monday night. The fire on the second deck quickly spread two decks above to the outside mooring area, where nylon rope fed the flames, said Mr Bob Dickinson, president of Carnival Cruises.
A passenger told a crew member about smoke and in his cabin watched live TV coverage of the fire as the minutes ticked by. Passengers said about 30 minutes passed before the first public-address announcement advised them to move to the upper decks.
Fifty-four people were treated, most for smoke inhalation. One had a heart problem. Of the 54, 20 were taken to hospitals and at least four people were admitted overnight.