Canadian Coast Guard says monitoring container ship fire

Victoria, Oct. 24 (BNA) The Canadian Coast Guard said it is monitoring a fire that broke out in a container ship off the coast of Victoria in British Columbia, and is working with the US Coast Guard to assess the situation.

“The Canadian Coast Guard received a report at approximately 11 am this morning from the MV Zim Kingston that a fire had occurred in the damaged containers on board,” it said in a statement late on Saturday.

According to CBC News, 10 crew members were evacuated, while 11 remained on board. She added that a total of six containers caught fire.

The report added that the ship is said to be carrying more than 52,000 kilograms of xanthate – chemicals used in the mining industry, including potassium amyl xantate. Potassium amylexanthate is an irritant and hazardous to the environment.

A video obtained by Reuters showed a fire pouring from the ship’s deck into the water.

The Canadian Coast Guard said a joint agency response to provide assistance is being coordinated, adding that an assessment is being conducted to determine contamination risks from containers.

Bulk carrier M/V Zim Kingston reported Friday that it experienced severe weather west of the Juan de Fuca Strait. The US Coast Guard said in a tweet that about 40 containers from the ship had fallen into the sea.

HF