Firefighters spent hours dousing a blaze that broke out at a Port Moody sawmill on Monday afternoon.
Acting city manager Paul Lockwood told CTV News that the fire began in the Flavelle mill's conveyer system, then spread to nearby wood chip piles.
Firefighters were able to keep the flames away from the building itself, he said. No injuries have been reported.
At least three fire trucks were called to aid in the fight, and Coquitlam firefighters were also brought in to help. The wind presented a challenge for crews at the scene, so firefighters called for an evacuation of Rocky Point Park, the pier and a nearby restaurant as a precaution.
Thick black smoke and small flames could be seen from the air over the mill as CTV's Chopper 9 flew over the scene shortly after 3 p.m. Crews estimated the fire would burn for several hours, and that they may be in the area all night, monitoring hot spots and embers swirling with the smoke.
Port Moody Fire-Rescue asked all residents to avoid the area of Murray and Moody streets until further notice.
The building was the site of another fire approximately six months ago.
