Air and water quality safe after Port Metro Vancouver chemical fire, authorities claim

Vancouver: A chemical fire that caused the evacuation of hundreds of people at Port Metro Vancouver on Wednesday was extinguished by Thursday morning, 24 hours later, with little sign of serious environmental damage, authorities have said.

The fire, which had taken 60 firemen to battle from land and sea, had begun in a container at the Centerm terminal and cast a column of white smoke across the city.

Fire crews took sample air readings and found it well within safety limits. They also tested water quality and said it showed no problems.

At least 13 people had received treatment in hospital for respiratory symptoms associated with inhaling the smoke but they were all discharged.

The blaze was fuelled by trichloroisocyanuric acid, which is commonly used to chlorinate pools. The cause of the fire was still under investigation on Thursday evening.

Firemen were going to let the container cool down overnight and probably open it on Friday.