Fire forces ship carrying radioactive concrete off Scotland to anchor

A ship carrying radioactive concrete was forced to put down its anchor just off the Scottish coast in the North Sea last night after a fire in one of its funnels, the British coastguard said.

The fire on the Parida, which was believed to be carrying radioactive concrete from a power station to Antwerp, Belgium, is now out and the ship was attempting to put down its anchor, the coastguard said.

“The fire is out and he is lowering his anchor to stop him drifting,” the coastguard said by telephone. The fire was reported at about 7pm last night, the coastguard said.

There are no reports of any injuries.

The Parida, which is listed on shipping websites as sailing under a Danish flag, is currently just off northeastern Scotland.