Fire in cargo tanks erupted on board of tanker BURGOS at around noon Sep 24 off Veracruz, Mexico, Gulf of Mexico. Vessel loaded with some 12,000 tons of oil products was en route from Pajaritus, Coatzacoalcos, Mexico, to Veracruz. Crew were evacuated, no casualties reported. Tanker is drifting some 7 nm southeast of Veracruz, surrounded by tugs and salvage vessels, which are trying to put fire under control. Unofficial reports claim fire will be on until fuel in tanks will burn out. On photos burning BURGOS. Judging from photos, fore tanks are on fire, not all tanks, so the main task of firefighters seems to be restricting fire area and protecting other tanks. There’s no risk of major, or any, oil spill – let’s recall some major tanker disasters, when leaking oil was intentionally ignited. To create a major oil spill, tanker has to, literally, fall apart in several pieces.
