National

Large, smoky fire extinguished in Metro Vancouver, air quality bulletin to be lifted

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 21 Jun, 2024 10:03 AM

The Metro Vancouver Regional District says a fire at a trestle bridge in Richmond, B.C., has been extinguished after sending up huge plumes of smoke that prompted an air quality bulletin for the region.

The district says in an update on the social media platform X that air quality has now improved and it will issue an update to end the bulletin.

The district's air quality map shows the area around the now-extinguished blaze near the Oak Street Bridge on the north arm of the Fraser River is ranked at level two of 10, indicating "low risk."

Richmond Fire-Rescue said earlier Friday that crews had put out the warehouse portion of the industrial fire that broke out near River Rock Casino.

At the time, they were still working to extinguish flames on the trestle bridge at the boundary between Richmond and Vancouver.

The province's driver information system, DriveBC, indicates the Oak Street Bridge is now open in both directions after the fire forced its closure Thursday night.

Vancouver International Airport says its operations are not affected, but it encourages passengers to plan ahead and allow extra time to reach the airport.

A fire in Richmond is currently affecting traffic on the Oak Street Bridge. Operations at YVR are not impacted.
We encourage passengers to plan ahead and allow extra time to reach the airport.
— YVR (@yvrairport) June 21, 2024

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Pedestrian hit in Vancouver

B.C.'s police watchdog is now investigating after a car hit a pedestrian in downtown Vancouver. Investigators with the Independent Investigations Office were called to the scene this morning where roads had been closed for several hours.

Pedestrian hit in Vancouver

RBC donates $1.7 Million to Vancouver Art Gallery through RBC Emerging Artists Program

Since 1979, RBC has played a role in the Vancouver Art Gallery's journey, providing over half a million dollars of support for the Gallery's community programs. This dedication has helped strengthen the Gallery's mission to connect people, art and ideas, and highlights the shared belief in the power of art to shape our communities. RBC's support has been pivotal in the success of programs such as 'Art Connects–Raising Diverse Voices,' for which the Gallery remains deeply grateful.

RBC donates $1.7 Million to Vancouver Art Gallery through RBC Emerging Artists Program

Jump in BC's living wage

A new report shows Metro Vancouver's living wage has increased to 25-dollars and 68 cents per hour this year. That amount reported by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives B-C Office and Living Wage for Families B-C represents a six per cent rise from the previous year.

Jump in BC's living wage

B.C. tables legislation to encourage communities to build homes near transit hubs

The British Columbia government has introduced legislation it estimates could provide up to 100,000 new homes near designated transit areas over the next decade. The government says the proposed legislation is aimed at encouraging communities to build housing in areas designated as transit hubs.

B.C. tables legislation to encourage communities to build homes near transit hubs

Avian flu infects more B.C. farms as wild birds migrate overhead

Avian flu is spreading rapidly through British Columbia poultry farms, including half a dozen diagnosed in commercial flocks this week alone. The fall migration of wild birds is considered the primary cause of infection for B.C.’s commercial and backyard operations.

Avian flu infects more B.C. farms as wild birds migrate overhead

Charges laid in White Rock man's shooting

Charges have now been laid in the fatal April 2022 shooting of 33-year-old White Rock resident David Goldstein. At the time of his death, police said the shooting -- at a south Surrey home -- did not appear random, but was not linked to the ongoing Metro Vancouver gang conflict.