NANAIMO — Fireworks are believed responsible for a massive fire on the grassy hill at Piper’s Lagoon in the city’s north end.
Calls to 911 were made just before 11 p.m. on Friday, July 13 after several witnesses reported seeing a large group of youth lighting fireworks on the beach.
Flames were seen shortly after in the popular rocky trail area at the park’s northern edge.
“We saw some kids lighting fireworks off at the end of the beach and a fire started,” witness Spencer Mason told NanaimoNewsNOW on scene. “There were like five or six (fireworks).”
Winds from the ocean whipped up flames, causing the fire to spread quickly.
Mason and another witness, Spencer O’Hanley were also on the beach, roughly 200 feet to the south and preparing to leave ahead of the nightly gate closure.
Both said the group of youth, estimated to be around 30 people, fled quickly when flames broke out.
“Oh yeah, everybody scattered,” Mason said.
(Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)Nanaimo RCMP, along with Nanaimo Fire Rescue shutdown access to the park and as of midnight several spot fires were visible but the situation appeared under control.
A total open fire ban came into effect on Friday, July 13 at noon, prohibiting all camping and open fires.
Fireworks and other larger burns were banned by the Coastal Fire Centre in May, however the City of Nanaimo prohibits the use of fireworks year round, except with a permit.
(Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)
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