On November 6, the 97 meter long, 3535 dwt fish factory ship Verano caught fire while berthed in Cape Town, South Africa. The fire started by welding on the main deck and quickly spread through the decks and superstructure. Some of the 800,000 styrofoam containers on board the Verano caught fire and spewed out a thick flume of toxic smoke. The five crew on board the Verano were able to escape the blaze while local authorities dispatched several teams of fire fighters to the scene. Assisted by local tugs, fire crews were eventually able to contain the blaze, but the fire continued to burn for nearly a week before it could be completely extinguished. The fish factory sustained significant damage and had developed a list to starboard. Booms were placed around the vessel to contain any pollution released. No reports of injuries.