Mitchell Island fire sends black cloud of smoke over South Vancouver
Images on social media show flames, dark smoke
A building is burning on Mitchell Island between Vancouver and Richmond, B.C., causing a large plume of smoke visible across the region.
Richmond Fire Chief John McGowan said crews were called to scene just before 2 p.m. PT.
He said the fire is burning from a mattress recycling depot, but the materials aren't toxic.
Mitchell Island Fire <a href="https://twitter.com/NEWS1130">@NEWS1130</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CTVNews">@CTVNews</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/GlobalBC">@GlobalBC</a> <a href="https://t.co/6tR4Wzcv6k">pic.twitter.com/6tR4Wzcv6k</a>
—@RajveerB93Access to the island from Knight Street is blocked or limited to first responders, but the bridge itself is open to traffic after it was closed temporarily.
Alex Konyves works nearby and saw the fire from across the river.
"I was about to head home and my coworker called to tell me he saw huge, huge plumes of smoke," he said.
"Probably the thickest smoke I've ever seen. You could see pretty prominent flames in person."
McGowan said neighbouring businesses will likely be evacuated and that it's not clear what sparked the flames.
Praying that no one's injured. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RichmondBC?src=hash">#RichmondBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MitchellIsland?src=hash">#MitchellIsland</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YVR?src=hash">#YVR</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BreakingNews?src=hash">#BreakingNews</a> <a href="https://t.co/RRag9kDtMa">pic.twitter.com/RRag9kDtMa</a>
—@LittleMsICS91An unfortunate front row seat to the fire on Mitchell island <a href="https://twitter.com/NEWS1130">@NEWS1130</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CKNW">@CKNW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/GlobalBC">@GlobalBC</a> <a href="https://t.co/t7tvePTJkH">pic.twitter.com/t7tvePTJkH</a>
—@danielstoneYVR