WATCH: City and Port of Metro Vancouver officials update the media about ongoing concerns and issues following the massive chemical fire yesterday.
VANCOUVER – Emergency officials say they are satisfied and proud of the emergency response to the chemical fire at Port Metro Vancouver on Wednesday afternoon.
“To that end, we have no injuries to first responders and we do know that there was 13 people, between yesterday and today, that did go into hospital with some form of respiratory concern, but they’ve been released from hospital to our knowledge.”
The fire started just before 1:30 p.m. Wednesday and was quickly upgraded to a four-alarm blaze. The call was put out for 21 firefighters to staff multiple fire trucks. At least eight fire trucks and more than 24 firefighters had already responded to the incident.
READ MORE: Chemical fire at Port Metro Vancouver contained, but still smoldering
Two fireboats were dispatched to stage at the north end of Centennial Pier. By 6:30 p.m., Port Metro Vancouver said the fire was considered under control, as crews worked diligently to contain a blaze that could be seen throughout downtown and could be smelled for many miles to the east.
The cause of the fire remains unknown.
READ MORE: Health effects from the chemical fire may still be felt today
“The situation was monitored and on an hourly basis there were phone calls between the various agencies and through the night most of those agencies were represented in our operations centre or in the EOC,” said Peter Xotta from Port Metro Vancouver.
On Thursday an environmental contractor and salvage contractor remain on site.
“All of the protocols in place for handling containers with this substance were followed including reporting information to Transport Canada about its transit through the port,” said Xotta.
Port operations have resumed, with the exception of the Centerm container terminal, where the fire started.
There is still a 100 metre exclusion zone around the container in question.
The City of Vancouver says this is something it can learn from for the future. “This is the closest we’ve come to a major evacuation across part of our city for many many years,” said Penny Ballem, Vancouver city manager.
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said he has to give a huge thanks to first responders who moved fast to contain the emergency on Wednesday.
“I think there’s always room for improvement with communications, social media as is the norm these days, was instrumental in getting the word out very quickly. I think that reporting happened very quickly. Media was very proactive in spreading that message so I think generally the emergency was handled well, in a challenging situation.”
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