City of New Westminster: Pier Park Fire
On September 13, 2020, a major fire tore through Westminster Pier Park, destroying a large portion of the century-old creosote timber pier. New Westminster Fire & Rescue Services mobilized immediately, and FRPD was called in to support emergency response efforts from the water side of the site.
Problem
The blaze burned through creosote-soaked pilings, making the structure extremely unstable and difficult to access from land. Fire crews required marine support to reach isolated hot spots, remove collapsed sections and control the spread of the fire. The WOW Westminster sculpture, a well-known public art landmark, stood on a severely compromised portion of the pier, requiring a safe and carefully coordinated removal.
Solution
FRPD deployed barges, marine cranes and demolition crews to assist fire services. Workers removed damaged portions of the pier to create safe access, supported water-side firefighting operations and executed the controlled removal of the WOW Westminster sculpture. Once the fire was fully extinguished, FRPD completed full pier demolition, cleanup, disposal and shoreline armouring.
Key Facts
- Supported New Westminster Fire & Rescue with barge and crane access during active firefighting
- Removed collapsed pier sections to access hot spots and improve safety
- Assisted with water-side firefighting operations throughout the incident
- Safely removed the compromised WOW Westminster public art sculpture
- Completed full pier demolition after the fire, including removal of all pilings, shoreline cleanup and debris extraction, diver-supported underwater work, and material hauling and disposal
- Armoured the newly exposed shoreline with riprap
FRPD commends the fire service for their tireless work containing the blaze and protecting what remained of Pier Park. Thanks to coordinated efforts, large portions of the park—including pathways, the festival lawn and public amenities—were ultimately preserved.