Richmond firefighters were working to put out a bush fire next to the overpass on Cambie Road at Knight Street Friday afternoon.
A firetruck was spraying water at the blackened bushes on the north side of Cambie Road when a Richmond News reporter approached the scene.
Jennifer Torrance, a witness, saw smoke billowing up above warehouses in the area around 4:42 p.m. and saw fire-rescue arrive around 4:50 p.m.
“Some people moved their parked cars away from the fire,” said Torrance.
The north side of Cambie Road at Knight Street has been closed due to the incident. One lane southbound on Knight Street is also closed.
Grant Wyenberg, Richmond Fire Rescue's acting battalion chief, confirmed that fire crews responded to a report of a grass fire in the area this afternoon and said the fire was "quickly contained" by initial responders.
"The area is being soaked down to prevent a reoccurrence," said Wyenberg in a statement.
The cause is not known at this time and investigation staff will attend next week and attempt to determine a cause, he added.
"The public is reminded that open fires are not permitted within Richmond and extra care should be taken when discarding smoker’s materials," said Wyenberg
"Richmond Fire Rescue encourages the public to report any open burning or the presence of smoke during these abnormally dry periods."
