According to Richmond Fire-Rescue, multiple trucks were sent to put out the fire.
A fire that started on Thursday night erupted into thick black smoke that hung over Richmond.
About 8:15 p.m., according to Richmond Fire-Rescue, multiple vehicles were sent to a fire close to the Fraser River.
A statement on X (formerly Twitter) from the Metro Vancouver Regional District stated that black smoke was emanating from an ancient rail bridge that had caught fire. A district-issued air quality bulletin advised anyone experiencing dyspnea, chest pain, intense coughing, or lightheadedness to get medical attention.
Social media images purport to show smoke rising from somewhere close to the River Rock Casino.
As of late Thursday, officials were unsure of the fire’s cause.
Traffic in both directions was impacted by the fire near the Oak Street Bridge, according to Drive BC on X.
Vancouver International Airport stated in a statement on X that the fire had no effect on its operations.
A guest from Jacksonville, Florida named Que Gardner claimed to have been inside the casino when the fire started.
“Before I knew it, everything was on fire over here, and it slowly worked its way down,” he continued. He claimed to have heard dense, black smoke billowing from the rail bridge’s burning tar.
Jacob Joseph claimed to have witnessed the fire from close to Lansdowne Park. He rode his bike from his nearby house to investigate the smoke’s origin.
“I’m feeling quite shaken up,” he declared. “I’ve never seen anything like this in Richmond.”
