Person of interest sought in fire that closed Oak Street Bridge

Extended: Smoke plummets from fire Smoke from a fire shutdown stalls traffic as fire crews race to put the massive fire out.

Police are searching for a person of interest seen leaving the scene of a massive fire that temporarily closed the Oak Street Bridge last week.

A wooden Canadian Pacific Railway bridge went up in flames on July 9, sending plumes of black smoke into the path of rush hour traffic. Investigators quickly deemed the blaze suspicious.

On Monday, police asked the public for help “identifying the person responsible” for the fire.

“Canadian Pacific Police Service would like to speak to a person of interest observed leaving the area just after the fire started as well as anyone who witnessed or took photographs of the fire scene,” the CPPS said in a statement.

Authorities haven’t released a description of the individual spotted leaving the scene.

No trains were crossing the Marpole Railway Bridge when it caught fire and CP said it’s only used about once a week. The company is still determining if it will rebuild the crossing or find an alternative route.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 1-800-716-9132 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS if they wish to remain anonymous.

Photographs and emails can also be sent to the CPPS here.