Stories from Tri-City News headlines of decades past is a recurring feature as the publication marks its 40th anniversary in 2024.
A suspicious fire in July 1995 destroyed an 85-year-old bridge spanning the Coquitlam River and caused some concern for the sensitive ecosystem in ƛ̓éxətəm Regional Park (known then as Colony Farm Park).
The bridge, that was built in 1910 to connect two private farms on either side of the river, collapsed into the river as its creosote-soaked timbers burned.
“The smell was oil and smoke. Really gross,” one witness told the Tri-City News of the fire that sent clouds of thick, acrid smoke roiling into the afternoon sky.
Officials from the Ministry of Environment responded quickly to place containment booms up and down stream of the smouldering bridge.
Environment emergency response officer Harold Riedler said while salmon wouldn’t normally be migrating up the river to spawn at the time, it was important to protect resident fish as well as water fowl from the oily substance.
“We don’t feel that it’s a significant risk to the environment in the short term,” he said.
An official with the BC Buildings Corporation, that owned Colony Farm, said any unsafe portions of the bridge would likely be removed immediately.
The Tri-City News has covered civic affairs, local crime, festivals, events, personalities, sports and arts in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody since 1983. Bound back issues of the paper are available at the Coquitlam Archives, while digital versions of several past years can be found at issuu.com.
