LPG tanker fire causes Houston Ship Channel closure

Authorities reopened the important chemical and cargo gateway after a three-hour shutdown on Monday.    A fire on board a chemical tanker caused a temporary closure of the Houston Ship Channel Monday, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
   The blaze began when ethylene, a chemical commonly used in manufacturing plastics, was being loaded onto the Liberian-flagged tanker Navigator Europa while docked at the Targa LPG export terminal.
   USCG said it extinguished the fire within 90 minutes, but a two-mile section of the important chemical and cargo gateway remained closed while firefighters ensured there were no lingering toxic fumes.
   “Initially it was a big fire, but it came down pretty quickly,” USCG Petty Officer 1st Class Andrew Kendrick reportedly told Reuters.
   The temporary closure delayed three outbound ships and one inbound tugboat and barge, according to the USCG.
   No injuries were reported as a result of the incident and all crew members have been accounted for, the Coast Guard said.