Huge plumes of smoke covered Squamish Thursday evening, April 16, after the east dock at Squamish Terminals burst into flames at about 6:30 p.m.
The Star Atlantic ship, which was docked near where the fire broke out, was moved after flames scorched its paint. Workers at Squamish Terminals were quickly evacuated to safety from the fire.
Hundreds of people headed to Nexen Beach or the terminals to view the flames. Police, some wearing gas masks, blocked traffic and redirected people back to town for safety. A chemical smell was in the air and heavy dark plumes of smoke covered the entire downtown. Fire trucks, police and ambulance rushed to Squamish Terminals.
Mayor Patricia Heintzman was mid-speech at the Downtown Business Improvement Association’s annual general meeting when someone yelled “Fire,” she said. The meeting was cut short.
The town’s core became quiet as the heavy smoke caused people to close windows and stay inside. Some people seen outside were wearing masks as they rode bicycles or walked downtown under the huge black plume, which reversed toward Howe Sound when winds shifted direction at about 10 p.m. that night.
The fire likely had an electrical source, according to RCMP, who indicated there was nothing suspicious about the blaze.
A stay-indoors order was announced by the district, but that order was lifted at about 7 a.m. Friday morning, and schools and most businesses were open Friday.
The air quality, which had reached a high of four, meaning moderate risk, was down to two by early Friday morning, according to B.C. Air Quality Readings.
Vancouver Coastal Health reported one person was treated and released from Squamish Hospital overnight due to the smoke.
There were no injuries from the fire itself at the Terminals or on the ship, according to Kim Stegeman-Lowe, vice-president administration for Squamish Terminals. For safety reasons, the day shift at the terminals was cancelled Friday and workers were told to stay home.
Squamish Fire Rescue Chief Bob Fulton said when the initial call of the fire came in to Squamish Fire Rescue at about 6:30 p.m. Thursday, 60 firefighters – including volunteer and career firefighters – were sent to the terminals to tackle the blaze.
“It is a tough fight because the construction of the dock, the underside of the dock, it is tough to get right at it and of course we’ve got pretty good tide swings,” an exhausted-looking Fulton told media on Friday.
“You have to understand they are working in an extremely smoky, dangerous environment and sometimes zero visibility.”
A Vancouver Fire and Rescue fire boat was on the scene two hours after the fire began.
A fire engine and four firefighters from Whistler arrived to help on Friday.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Environment (MOE) told The Squamish Chief that Emergency Management BC (EMBC) were notified of the fire at approximately 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
“An Environmental Emergency Response Office from the Ministry of Environment was on scene throughout the night doing air quality testing,” read a statement.
“Emergency Management B.C., Vancouver Coastal Health, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Environment staff are all working closely with local authorities.”
The fire could have been much worse, according to Fulton. He said the wind was blowing northeast away from the warehouse where pulp is stored.
On Friday, the district asked residents to minimize water use to conserve water for firefighting efforts but later lifted that advisory, saying the water supply was “stable and sufficient.”
The district is asking residents and visitors not to access Nexen Beach, the windsports spit or the Mamquam Blind Channel due to potential fire debris hazards.
Some community events, including the Mayor’s Breakfast on Friday morning, went ahead as scheduled in the aftermath of the fire, which continued to burn and create smoke. Other community activities, such as trail work scheduled for mid-morning at Garibaldi Highlands Elementary, were cancelled due to concerns over the outdoor air quality.
Some downtown businesses closed early Friday due to the smoke.
The fire was 100 per cent contained as of Sunday noon, according to the district.
