People disembark from a rescue boat after being evacuated from a Hurtigruten cruise ship when a fire started on the ship in Aalesund, western Norway September 15, 2011. Two people were taken to hospital in Aalesund with injuries from the fire on the ship.  [Photo/Agencies]

OSLO - At least two were reportedly killed and as many as 235 people were evacuated from a passenger ship after she caught fire on Thursday morning near Aalesund, a port city on Norway's western coast.

With 262 people, including 207 passengers and 55 crew members on board, the ship "MS Nordlys" (the Northern Lights) operated by the Hurtigruten company was sailing along Norway's western coast from Bergen to Kirkenes when the fire broke out in the engine room, said the Norwegian news agency NTB.

About 100 passengers were evacuated shortly after the fire by using lifeboats on the ship while she made her way to Aalesund and docked at the pier, with billowing smoke. Some crew of the ship joined in the rescue operation.

At least five people were reportedly injured, two of who must be given lifesaving treatment. Twelve people were hospitalized after they were evacuated from the ship.

Smoke is seen coming from a Hurtigruten cruise ship docked in Aalesund, western Norway September 15, 2011. Two people were taken to hospital in Aalesund with injuries from the fire on the ship.  [Photo/Agencies]

Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports citing police sources said two have died in the blaze.

Police in Aalesund said that the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Residents in downtown Aalesund were asked to take precautionary measures such as turning off ventilation systems and keeping windows closed as smoke from the ship covered some parts of the city.

The ill-fated cruise liner, built in 1994 in Germany, was on a six-day voyage from Bergen, the second largest city in Norway, to Kirkenes, a city on the most northeastern part of the country.