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Toxic cloud continues to spread in southeastern Brazil

Xinhua, January 16, 2016 Adjust font size:

Firefighters are still trying to put out a fire in a terminal in the Santos Port, which caused a toxic cloud to spread over the nearby region, Brazilian authorities said on Friday evening.

The incident is believed to have started when a container full of chlorine-based chemicals was flooded by rainwater, which caused a chemical reaction to release a toxic cloud in the region. A fire developed and spread over dozens of other containers, which increased the size and reach of the cloud. Three towns -- Santos, Guaruja and Sao Vicente, all located on the coast of Sao Paulo state -- have been hit by the fire.

The cloud caused skin and eye irritation as well as breathing problems among nearby populations. Over 150 people have sought medical help so far. Authorities recommend that the people who live near the fire site should leave the area, but stressed the substance is not lethal.

The local fire department said the fire reached a total of 80 containers since Thursday afternoon, but now only 14 continue to burn.

The Santos Port is the most important port in Brazil. Last year, it was hit by another large fire, which took a week to put out. At the time, the water used to extinguish the fire found its way to a nearby river and killed a large population of fish. Endit