Fourteen containers still on fire at Port of Santos

Fourteen containers are still on fire at the port of Santos cargo terminal in Guarujá, São Paulo. The fire started on Thursday afternoon (Jan. 14) and spread to 80 containers holding different products stored by Localfrio company. The disaster sent out toxic fumes all around the area. The fire department dispatched 25 engines and two vessels to the location. A total102 men and 40 firefighters are involved in the emergency response efforts.

The fire started in containers of dichloroisocyanuric acid, a chemical used in water as a bacteriocide. The toxic gas spread out in the cities of Santos, Guarujá, and São Vicente. Residue inhalation sent 92 people to hospital.

Further local government updates will be coming up on the number of people who have checked into health services with nausea and airway burns and local residents forced to leave their homes due to poisoning risks.

Translated by Mayra Borges