An investigation is underway after three vehicles, including a school bus, were engulfed in flames near Lions Gate Bridge early Tuesday morning. Just before 3 a.m., West Vancouver Fire and Rescue were called to the 100 block of Bridge Road near the Lions Gate Wastewater Treatment Plant for a vehicle fire. When first responders arrived, crews found a bus, a caravan and a camper van up in flames. Firefighters were able to quickly knock down the flames inside the caravan and camper van, but the school bus was more stubborn to extinguish as there were numerous, large propane bottles inside, said Assistant Fire Chief Jerermy Calder. No one was found inside the vehicles and no injuries were reported, he said. Photos from the scene show flames inside the school bus and large amounts of smoke coming out of the windows. Fire crews and the West Vancouver Police Department are now investigating the blaze. Suzanne Birch, spokesperson for West Vancouver police, said officers conduct regular patrols in the area, and it was on one of those rounds that they discovered the flames. Calder said the vehicles have been occupied in the past, but police believe they weren’t at the time of the fire. Police are working to confirm the well-being of the owners and occupants, Birch said. “We’re assuming that there are owners and occupants, and that’s why we’re trying to find them and make sure that they’re OK,” Birch said. “If they were living there, they … are going to need some housing support.” She said there’s no indication that the fire is suspicious at this time, but fire crews are still looking into the cause. “With a fire like this, there could be many causes,” Calder said. “At this time, I can’t comment on the cause of the fire.” By Abby Luciano, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, North Shore News
