A fire broke out at a Japanese restaurant in downtown New Westminster on Tuesday night. The incident occurred at Ki Sushi, located on 8th Street near Columbia Street, around 10 p.m.
Eyewitness Account of the Fire
A local woman, who was preparing for her late-night shift nearby, reported smelling smoke before the fire escalated. Initially, she felt little concern as there were no alarms sounding. Having previous experience in construction, she understood how fire behaves and noted the absence of alarm activation.
However, the situation changed quickly. The building was evacuated, and patrons and employees were forced to wait outside for several hours while emergency responders managed the scene.
Fire Response and Impact
Firefighters from the New Westminster Fire Service responded promptly to the incident. They arrived on the scene to find flames engulfing parts of the restaurant and quickly set to work extinguishing the fire. Local streets in the area were closed off as emergency personnel focused on controlling the situation.
- Event: Fire at Ki Sushi
- Date: Tuesday night
- Location: 8th Street near Columbia Street, New Westminster
- Time: Around 10 p.m.
Ongoing Investigation
Officials from the New Westminster Fire Service are currently assessing the situation to determine the cause of the fire. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
This incident highlights the rapid response capabilities of local fire services and the importance of safety measures in public spaces.
