A fire burned for hours in several containers aboard a cargo ship charted by Israeli giant
Zim Integrated Shipping Services as it lay off Canada’s Pacific coast province of British
Columbia on Sunday.
The Canadian Coast Guard said it received word late Saturday morning that a fire had
broken out in 10 damaged containers aboard the MV Zim Kingston, which is now
anchored about five miles (eight kilometers) off the provincial capital of Victoria, and
that two of the burning containers contain hazardous material identified as potassium
amylxanthate. The compound is used in the mining industry.
The coast guard noted that the ship itself is not on fire, but said an emergency zone has
been set up for one nautical mile around the Zim Kingston, adding that there is currently
no safety risk to people on shore.