OTTAWA, Oct. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- A Canadian submarine off the coast of Ireland was forced to call for assistance from the British Royal Navy after a small fire broke out on board, it is reported here Tuesday.

    HMCS Chicoutimi, a diesel-electric patrolling submarine, reported a fire on board Tuesday at around noon. The fire was extinguished within minutes but filled the vessel with smoke. There are reports of three people suffering from smoke inhalation.

    According to military sources, it is not known what caused the fire or what damage the ship has sustained.

    British Royal Navy has a helicopter and a tanker on route to lend assistance. They are also in the process of scrambling a frigate to the site. The submarine has surfaced and is awaiting a tug to take it back to shore.

    The Chicoutimi was on its way to Canada's eastern port city of Halifax and was due to arrive in Halifax harbor on October 18. It would then begin patrolling the East Coast of Canada. Enditem