OREANDA-NEWS. Operations at Brazil's bustling Santos port have been partially suspended because of toxic smoke caused by a chemical fire that erupted yesterday afternoon.

The fire is still blazing at containers holding chemicals at the Localfrio terminal in Guaruja.

The incident was caused by leakage of chlorine chemicals stored in a container.

Santos Brasil, operator of Latin America's largest container terminal Tecon, suspended operations and sent staff home to avoid exposure to the fumes with no immediate schedule for resumption of activities.

Four other terminals located on the port also suspended activities, according to a shipping agent.

About 20 reefer containers were affected by fire, according to the agent.

Terminals and roads within 100m (328ft) of the fire were also shut down by port administrator Codesp.

Santos, which handles a quarter of Brazil's trade, was otherwise operating normally, Codesp said.

Loading and unloading of other commodities including ethanol, petrochemicals and fuel were not affected by the Localfrio fire, Codesp said.

Fire fighters said the flames were contained and expected to have the blaze under control by the afternoon.