A freighter carrying nearly 3,000 cars catches fire in the North Sea and a crew member is killed

By MIKE CORDER
Associated Press

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A fire on a freight ship carrying nearly 3,000 cars is burning out of control in the North Sea. The Dutch coast guard says one crew member has died, others are hurt and it is working to save the vessel from sinking. Boats and helicopters were used to get the 23 crew members off the ship after they tried unsuccessfully to put out the blaze. A coast guard spokesperson says other vessels on the scene are looking at how to get the fire under control and preparing for all scenarios. It is burning about 17 miles north of the Dutch island of Ameland. The cause of the blaze and how the crew member died aren’t immediately clear.