This article was last updated on April 16, 2022
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The colossal fire that engulfed an entire building in downtown New Westminster early Thursday ended up extinguishing at least 40 businesses, while also removing a century of history. Police and fire crews were alerted about the fire that broke at 634 Columbia St. at around 4 a.m., where a Vietnamese restaurant called ‘Le Saigonnais’ is located.
The fire rapidly extended and threatened at least a dozen of businesses, including bridal stores, coffee shops and offices, majority of which were housed in the 100-year-old heritage building. Crews ended up battling the blaze for hours as it broke through the two buildings, leaving power lines sparking in its wake. Witnesses explain that a series of loud explosions were heard from across downtown New Westminster. Tim Eliason narrated that “It went from like, just a little sliver to this. I came here and I was just one block away and I could feel the heat from the flames.”
One of the businesswomen affected by the fire, Lynn Quesnel, owned a store called Moody Beads. She alleged that “I’m kind of feeling a little stressed, but you know what? It happens and we can’t do much.” “It’s not like I can go and rescue my bead store right now.” New Westminster’s Fire Chief, Tim Strong, explained that propane tanks on the roof of the building caused the explosions during the fire. He alleged that “these buildings, you have to remember, are tinder dry. Some of them are over 100 years old, so they’re all wood-frame buildings.”
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