Firefighters are seen during operations to extinguish a fire on a barge in Surrey, B.C., in a Friday, April 3, 2026, handout photo. The Metro Vancouver Regional District says it's monitoring air quality after a barge fire sent considerable smoke into the air. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout — Metro Vancouver Regional District (Mandatory Credit)

By The Canadian Press

Air quality is being monitored after a barge fire in Surrey, B.C.

Apr 3, 2026 | 12:01 PM

SURREY — Officials say they are monitoring the air quality after a barge fire in Surrey, B.C., sent large plumes of smoke into the air.

Metro Vancouver Regional District says it’s aware of a barge fire near the stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge, also known as Riverview Bridge, which connects Surrey and New Westminster.

The district says in a social media post on Friday that the blaze is producing “considerable smoke.”

It says firefighting efforts are ongoing as a video posted by the district shows a fireboat using water cannons to put out the flames.

Goods on the barge have been reduced to ashes.

conduct standards

Provincewide code of conduct coming for B.C.'s elected officials

3h ago

Batter Up

Mid Island Pirates full of optimism as baseball season begins

7h ago

headed to trial

Wife of Nanaimo prosecutor pleads not guilty to fraud & theft charges

21h ago

The district says the fire has drawn a response from Surrey Fire Services and the Canadian Coast Guard, and the fire suppression operations are expected to continue throughout Friday.

It remains unclear how the fire started, and the Surrey Fire Services haven’t replied to requests for comment.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April. 3, 2026.

The Canadian Press