Fire rips through Richmond grocery store Friday evening

Fire crews were called out to a fire at the Super Grocer and Pharmacy in the Richmond’s Steveston neighbourhood Friday evening.

A video sent to CityNews shows flames and smoke coming from the store at No. 1 Road and Moncton Road.

The video shows multiple firetrucks on scene as crews try to put out the fire.

Richmond Fire Rescue says the blaze started around 5 p.m. in the back of store.

“How the fire initially presented, it was extremely difficult to make entry with the level of smoke,” said Assistant Deputy Chief Trevor Northrup. “It was a deep-seated and well established fire, so it was a defensive approach.”

Thankfully the staff and customers inside at the time were all safely evacuated.

“This is a business that’s been here for well over 40 years; people go to it as an institution.” Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie told CityNews. “I’m told by the firefighters and by the chief that it seems to have started in the back outside.”

Firefighters were seen trying to contain the flames from three different angles.

Brodie said that although the neighbouring structures around the grocery store may be safe, there was still a risk of the roof coming in.

“Because of the way the fire was burning, they couldn’t go into the structure itself,” Brodie said.

Many in the Steveston community saw the store as a go-to staple for generations.

“It was a really nice little store,” said area resident Lynn Murray. “Everyone came here for their flowers and, you know, they had good prices and I mean, we’ve lived in the area since (the) early 90s And it’s always been here, so I am just shocked. We’re really sad. I hope it rebuilds.”

Firefighters said they expected to remain on scene throughout Friday night, while the cause of the fire remains to be investigated.