The Italian authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the Norman Atlantic fire but previous recent examples similar fires appear to have all originated from cargo decks.
Three major fires in 2010 highlighted the vulnerability of ro ro ferries to car deck fires like that on the 26,900-gt Norman Atlantic(built 2009).
In an almost identical accident in October 2010 the 350 passenger Lisco Gloria (built 2001) caught fire while sailing between Kiel and Klaipeda leading to the evacuation of 235 passengers and crew.
