Canadian freighter fire in Whitefish Bay contained by crew

WHITEFISH BAY — The United States Coast Guard Sector Northern Great Lakes responded Monday night to a fire aboard a Canadian-flagged freighter in Whitefish Bay.

The Radcliffe Latimer, carrying petroleum coke, reported an engine room fire around 11 p.m., the Coast Guard said. Crew members used the vessel’s installed carbon dioxide system to extinguish the fire before anchoring in Canadian waters with assistance from a tug.

All 21 crew members were reported safe, and no pollution resulted from the incident, according to the Coast Guard.

Because the vessel is Canadian-flagged and the incident occurred in Canadian waters, the Canadian Coast Guard will lead the investigation.