Britons aboard cruise ship crippled by fire

The 3,300 passengers aboard the Carnival Cruise Line vessel Carnival Splendor were left without flushing toilets, hot food or air conditioning after the fire off the coast of Mexico.

The fire was detected in the aft engine room the day after the 952ft-long vessel left Long Beach, California, for a seven-day Mexican Riviera cruise.

The fire was put out and there were no injuries.

But full power could not be restored to the vessel, which was being towed back to San Diego in southern California.

Carnival said passengers initially had to move from their cabins to the ship's upper open deck areas.

Later they had access to their cabins again and bottled water and cold food items were provided.

Carnival said passengers would receive a full refund.