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After a four-alarm chemical fire broke out in Port Metro Vancouver Wednesday, the burning is now under control. But officials have asked residents to avoid the area due to lingering health concerns.

Large shipping container fire in Port Metro Vancouver contained


Cheryl Santa Maria
Digital Reporter

Thursday, March 5, 2015, 7:47 PM - A four-alarm chemical fire that broke out in Port Metro Vancouver Wednesday was under control by the early hours Thursday. Flames and heavy smoke prompted health concerns, travel disruptions and orders for local residents to stay indoors.

The fire began in a single shipping container Wednesday afternoon at Canada's largest port. 

As firefighters battled the blaze, officials closed parts of the city and asked people to remain inside with their windows closed, to avoid exposure to potentially toxic smoke. 

Though the stay-in order was lifted Wednesday evening, people were asked to avoid the area surrounding the site.

A portion of the area was evacuated and all operations on the South Shore were shut down, including rail traffic.

A massive smoke cloud could be seen billowing from the fire which, according to witness Barry Duncan, "showed no signs of stopping" during the afternoon. Officials managed to get the flames under control by the evening.

Some took to Twitter to claim they could smell burning chemicals. 

By Thursday afternoon, health officials said there was no longer an exposure risk to those in the area -- but people with health conditions should continue to monitor the area into Friday.

Fifteen people were treated in hospital for smoke inhalation. All were released, according to Vancouver Coastal Health.

Health officials say the chemical set ablaze is a respiratory irritant that can be dangerous to inhale in large amounts.

The chemical is called trichloroisocyanuric acid and it is often used to treat swimming pools. It is know to irritate the nose, throat and lungs.

As an oxidizer, the chemical produces oxygen which can fuel flames. It was either contaminated or disrupted, causing it to heat up and trigger the fire, according to Vancouver Fire Chief Dan Wood.

The root of the fire has been identified, but officials will continue to investigate how the toxic compound came to ignite the massive blaze.

Sources: CBC | CTV

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