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Chemical fire closes part of Port of Vancouver

Containers in stack at Centerm contained trichloroisocyanuric acid, according to the terminal operator.

   A fire in a shipping container holding a hazardous chemical shut down part of the Port of Vancouver and caused the fire department to order the public to “shelter in place” for several hours on Wednesday.
   A container in a stack at the Centerm container terminal containing trichloroisocyanuric acid caught fire at around 1:15 pm said DP World, which operates the facility. DP World said the chemical is an industrial disinfectant and bleaching agent. It is also used to disinfect swimming pools.
   Port Metro Vancouver, said Centerm and nearby port properties were evacuated and port operations along the south shore of Burrard Inlet were shut down, including rail and truck access.
   By 6:30 p.m. the port said the Vancouver Fire Chief lifted a shelter-in-place order for the surrounding area.

Chris Dupin

Chris Dupin has written about trade and transportation and other business subjects for a variety of publications before joining American Shipper and Freightwaves.