Mishandled chlorine, asphalt may have sparked MV June Aster fire -- BFP

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The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said Saturday that improperly secured chlorine and asphalt cargo may have contributed to the fire aboard the MV June Aster off Coron, Palawan, in September.

In a report on “24 Oras Weekend,” the BFP said the vessel was carrying chlorine containers that were not securely fastened, potentially allowing the chemical to come into contact with the asphalt cargo.

The interaction between the two substances may have triggered the fire, authorities said.

The BFP also found that the vessel’s faulty ventilation system discharged hot air that may have contributed to the ignition.

The incident left 77 people dead, while eight others remain missing.

The BFP said the shipping line’s management, the vessel’s captain and crew, and the third-party stevedore responsible for arranging the cargo could be held liable if negligence is established.

The Port of Baseco, where the vessel originated, could also face liability for allowing the ship to sail despite existing issues, the BFP added.— Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/MCG, GMA News

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