Fire has broken out on a container ship off Canada’s west coast. Two of the containers that caught fire contained highly flammable and toxic substances.
Most of the crew of the Zim Kingston have been evacuated because of the fire and a safety zone has been established around the ship. The fire releases toxic gases and containers float around.
The problems started Friday when the ship lost 40 containers on its way to Vancouver due to rough seas in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The fire broke out on Saturday. It is not clear how it was caused.
A lifeboat is nearby to rescue the five crew members still on board if necessary. The Coast Guard is investigating how dangerous the substances released during the fire are. The potassium amylxanthate in some of the containers is harmful to marine life.
–
