A beloved grocery store in the Steveston neighbourhood of Richmond has been completely destroyed in a fire.
The fire ignited around 5 p.m. on Friday at the Super Grocer and Pharmacy on No. 1 Road.
Heavy flames were seen shooting out of the roof and the entire building was engulfed.
No one was injured in the blaze, according to Richmond Fire Rescue, but billowing black smoke made it difficult for firefighters.
“It was the heavy smoke, right down to the floor, that was prohibiting entry from some being possible,” said assistant deputy fire chief Trevor Northrup.
Customers and staff were inside the building at the time of ignition.
“I was getting groceries. I had left and a few minutes later I smelled like a bonfire and we saw the fire,” said Richmond resident Latoya Olsen.
“I was in there just minutes before.”
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
— With files from Elizabeth McSheffrey