A fire broke out on Saturday in containers aboard a huge cargo ship carrying mining chemicals, 52 tons, according to Radio Canada.
The ship, the Zim Kingston, is anchored in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, south of Vancouver Island in British Columbia.
"An emergency zone has been established (...) around the container ship", the combustion "releases toxic gas", underlined the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG).
Authorities received a warning message at around 11 a.m. local time for two containers on fire aboard the 260-meter-long vessel flying the Maltese flag.
By 10:50 p.m., the fire had spread to at least ten containers.
Among the products on board would be potassium amyl xanthate, a yellow powder classified as "spontaneously combustible" by the American authorities.
Sixteen crew members were evacuated from the MV Zim Kingston, while five remained on board to fight the blaze.
On Saturday night, ten containers were burning and the fire continued to spread but the ship itself was not on fire.
#GCCEnDirect: The CCGS Cape Calvert and the CCGS Cape Naden evacuated 16 people from the container ship M / V #ZimKingston near Victoria, #British Columbia after a fire broke out in ten containers.
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- CoastguardCAN (@GardeCotiereCAN) October 24, 2021
The Canadian Coast Guard is working with their US counterparts to track 40 containers that have fallen overboard. In addition to the risk of them dumping their cargo, they pose a significant risk to other ships.
“Mariners are advised to stay clear of the area.
There is currently no risk to the safety of people ashore, but the situation will continue to be monitored, ”the CCG further explained.