At least 120 people were rescued when a ferry caught fire off the coast of central Philippines on Sunday.The M/V Esperanza Star vessel had left the Port of Lazi in Siquijor province and was heading towards Tagbilaran City in Bohol province when it burst into flames at sea on June 18.Nearby fishermen took their boats and evacuated passengers and crew as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rushed to the scene.Around 65 passengers and 55 crew members were rescued off the burning ship operated by local transport company KHO Shipping Lines. There were no reports of casualties.Bohol Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Anthony Damalerio said: 'At 3:55 am, the PCG Bohol Station received the distress call from MV Esperanza Star. First responders were fishing boats in the area. About four to five fishing vessels and one shipping vessel. The PCG boats also arrived after being notified.'Firefighters hosed down the blaze, which was extinguished at around 10 am on June 18.In a statement, the PCG said: 'Based on the initial investigation, the distressed vessel skippered by Captain Desiderio Labiste Jr. had approximately 120 passengers and crew members on board. 'It departed from Port of Lazi, Siquijor, to Port of Tagbilaran, Bohol. 'Personnel of the BRP Malamawi (FPB-2403), Coast Guard Sub-Station Tagbilaran, and Coast Guard Special Operations Unit-Tagbilaran are performing the firefighting operations.'It added that two coast guard ships, the BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV-4408) and the BRP Malamawi (FPB-2403), were stationed in the waters of Panglao, Bohol to monitor the situation of the burnt cargo vessel MV Esperanza Star.'Provincial disaster office head Anthony Damalerio said: 'We talked to the crew and, according to the initial investigation, the fire started outside the engine room of the cargo ship.'Authorities said they were investigating the exact cause of the fire.
