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UPDATE: Major crime unit investigating fire that destroyed old pier in New Westminster

Firefighters from New West and Vancouver are still battling a blaze along the Fraser River

The New Westminster police major crime unit is now investigating a massive fire that destroyed part of a pier late Sunday (Sept. 13) night.

Multiple fire departments from across the region responded to the blaze, which appears to have started at the timber wharf section of Pier Park, right along the Fraser River, around 7 p.m.

According to New Westminster Mayor Jonathan Cote, the cause of the fire is still unknown but it appears no one was injured.

“The fire is still going at Pier Park, but it is now fully contained to the old pier section. The fire could last a few days and will not be able to be put out until they remove the deck,” Cote tweeted Monday morning.

Cote said the old pier portion of the park will not be salvageable and the big “W” art piece will need to come down.

The City of New Westminster said that with the mix of smoke from the fire and wildfires in the U.S. blanketing area, residents should stay in doors as much as possible. Front Street and its nearby parkade remain closed and people are asked to avoid the area.

Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact police at 604-525-5411.


@katslepian

katya.slepian@bpdigital.ca

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