Brush and garbage fire briefly closes Bay Street bridge

Times Colonist

Sunday, May 27, 2007

A pile of clothing, garbage and sleeping bags belonging to some homeless people caught on fire below the Bay Street Bridge in Victoria Sunday evening, forcing the temporary closure of the bridge.

The small fire spread to nearby shrubbery and generated a thick column of black smoke around 5 p.m.

However, the fire was quickly extinguished by emergency crews, said Victoria police Const. Theresa Tuttle.

The location is a fairly common spot for street people to sleep, she said.

The bridge was re-opened around 5:45 p.m. City crews stayed to examine if any electrical wiring for street lights was damaged.

One person was reported to be leaving the scene after the fire started, however police could not say if that person might be responsible for the incident.

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