Vancouver British Columbia - Six weeks after a spectacular fire destroyed a rail trestle across the Fraser River in Richmond, fire officials have ruled its cause "undetermined" and owner CPKC says it has no immediate plans for a rebuild.
 
The City of Richmond said investigators have confirmed the 20 Jun 2024 fire, which sent massive plumes of black, acrid, smoke into the air that could be seen across Metro Vancouver, started in an industrial building at 8991 River Road.
 

The industrial building next to the trestle - Date? Jason Payne.

Fire officials say they were unable to pinpoint a cause and have "officially declared it as undetermined," said City of Richmond spokesperson Clay Adams.
 
The decommissioned trestle is owned by CPKC, and Adams said it's his understanding that "an environmental assessment was conducted following the fire, and that no risk to the river or environment was identified," meaning the damaged trestle can remain in place for now.
 
"We continue to evaluate options for the structure damaged in the fire," said Lesli Tomlin, a spokesperson for CPKC.
 
"In co-operation with the City of Richmond, the bridge site has been fenced to prevent trespassing."
 
CPKC said it has no comment on the fire investigation.
 
Property Nearby Had an Encampment in 2022
 
Postmedia News learned through a freedom-of-information request that a nearby property was visited by inspectors from Richmond Fire Rescue several times less than two years ago over debris and rubble that posed a fire hazard.
 
Those inspection reports show a property at 9015 River Road, which is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, was visited several times in late 2022.
 
An inspection on 27 Oct 2022 found "violations which may constitute a hazard to life or property in the event of fire and that must be corrected for immediate compliance."
 
That inspection followed reports in February 2022 of open burning at 9015 River Road without a permit.
 
"As the reports show, there was removal of debris and rubbish from the nearby site in late December 2022," said Adams in response to questions from Postmedia News.
 
"Having said that, it is important to reinforce that the fire which resulted in the loss of the Marpole trestle began at 8991 River Road, not 9015 River Rd."
 
Ministry Not Involved in Fire Investigation
 
The ministry confirmed neither it nor its contractor, Mainroad Group, was involved in the fire investigation.
 
It said the 2022 inspections were related to a "small encampment" beneath the bridge.
 
"The Richmond fire department did attend this camp location on several occasions," said the ministry.
 
"However, the individual vacated the site in 2022 and the property was subsequently cleaned up."
 
The ministry noted 9015 River Road is a fair distance from 8991 River Road.
 
"The fire at the trestle is unrelated to ministry right-of-way, located approximately 70 metres east under the Oak Street Bridge."
 
The property at 8991 River Road where the fire sparked was also the subject of complaints in 2015, but that was over the operation of an unsafe cooking facility.
 
The owners shut it down soon after and withdrew a business licence application for the parcel.
 
The inspection report was closed in 2015, said Adams, and it "had absolutely no bearing on what occurred" on 20 Jun 2024.
 
Joseph Ruttle.