CARGO SHIP NEW CARISSA AFIRE OFF OREGON COAST, 1999-02-12 (photo)

ENVIRONMENT-FREIGHTER:COOS BAY,OREGON,11FEB99 - The 639-foot cargo ship New Carissa is shown on fire February 11 on the coast in Coos Bay, Oregon after it was blown up in a second attempt to burn off its remaining fuel before an expected Pacific Ocean storm pounds the vessel to pieces. The 400,000 gallons of heavy fuel oil are expected to take at least two days to burn off, which local authorities and the U.S. Coast Guard say are preferable to a major spill. The Panamanian registered ship ran aground February 4, and has been declared a total loss. GAC/DL