Large fire burns through auto recycling facility on Mitchell Island

A large fire broke out on Mitchell Island in Richmond Thursday night.

By 8:30 p.m., at least one structure was engulfed in flames and thick smoke was visible from South Vancouver. Loud popping sounds could also be heard from across the Fraser River.

Richmond Fire Deputy Chief Tim Wilkinson said the owner of the business was on the property when the fire started, but they were able to escape uninjured.

He said said there were several hazards on the property, an auto recycling facility on Mitchell Road.

"Some of the hazards involved in this fire are building collapse ... we also have fuels and oils from the auto recycling Some that we have to be aware of," he said.

Dozens of firefighters were called to the blaze, which had spread through most of the property by the time they arrived.

Previous fires on island

The island is home to several industrial operations and was the site of major fires in June and January.

Wilkinson said investigators will be looking into whether prevention measures were put in place from a fire at the yard in January.

"From the last fire there was some work done with the business around their processes," he said.

"Those are issues we will be looking into with the investigation, to make sure they were adequate and taken on."

Crews spent most of the night putting out the fire. Wilkinson said the blaze does not appear suspicious at this time.