A barge loaded with crushed vehicles on the Surrey side of the Fraser River was ablaze for the second time in two months Tuesday, sending smoke billowing into the sky to drift over New Westminster.
Flames can be seen from high ground in New Westminster. Photograph By MATT LORENZI
The fire was near Bridgeview, just east of the Pattullo Bridge.
A fire boat arrived to pour water on the blaze. Two backhoes were moved off the barge, so that firefighters could tackle the flames with hoses. Firefighters said upper levels of the load needed to be removed to get water on the fire that had reached deeper levels.
As fire crews were responding, some were expressing concern and frustration on Twitter that the fire will continue to burn out of control and choke New West with smoke like it did back in August.
A fire boat can be seen pouring water on the burning barge. – MATT LORENZI
“I hope for everyone’s sake they have their operating permit revoked,” said New West resident Matt Lorenzi on Twitter @stickers66. “Once is one thing. This is bush league.”
“Also, where are the water cannons? Or is this just allowed to burn down.”
On Aug. 10, crews were on scene since the early morning hours battling a fire on a barge containing compacted cars, sending a giant plume of noxious smoke into the air. The fully loaded 76-metre barge was moored just north of the Pattullo Bridge.
With files from The Canadian Press
