Large tree catches fire near homeless camp in Stanley Park

VANCOUVER – Vancouver firefighters shut down Stanley Park for more than an hour Sunday morning after a large tree caught fire.

Smoke could be seen rising into the sky around 9:45 a.m. near a homeless camp, close to the Second Beach swimming pool.

Several fire crews responded. The tree, which is estimated to be between 300 and 400 years old, is deep in the forest and was hard to reach. The fire was also burning inside the tree, making it even harder to put out.

There were no reports of any injuries.

The incident caused a traffic jam, as vehicles weren’t allowed in and out of the park during the blaze.

Authorities blamed people camping in the area for the fire, but said it wasn’t arson. “It is a squatter’s camp. We have found nobody around. They’ve obviously taken off. The cooler nights, I guess someone’s trying to keep warm,” Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services Battalion Chief Dan Wilson told Global News.

Howard Norman, manager of urban forestry for the Vancouver Park Board, says he has assessed the tree and they have decided to leave it for now.