As the acrid smoke billowed over the Fraser River early Tuesday morning, Mission residents awoke to emergency alerts on their phones and instructions that seemed almost surreal: stay inside, close windows, turn off ventilation systems.
The source? A derelict ferry ablaze at a local shipyard—sending potentially toxic smoke across this community of 41,000 east of Vancouver.
“I thought it was fog at first, until the smell hit me,” said Karen Westland, who lives three kilometers from the shipyard. “Then the emergency alerts started coming. It felt like something from a disaster movie, not our quiet community.”
The vessel, identified as the former BC Ferries Queen of Sidney, caught fire around 4:30 a.m. at a industrial site along the Fraser River. Built in 1960 and decommissioned in 2000, the aging vessel had been stored at this location for years, according to transportation officials.
Mission Fire Rescue Service responded with support from neighboring departments, battling flames that local Fire Chief Mark Goddard described as “extensive and challenging.” The cause remains under investigation.
BC’s Environmental Emergency Program dispatched hazardous materials specialists to monitor air quality, while Environment Canada issued a special air quality statement warning of “harmful smoke containing particulate matter and various chemicals” drifting through residential areas.
“We’re concerned about potential contaminants from burning materials that might include various petroleum products, insulation, and other ship components,” said Dr. Theresa Tam from Fraser Health. “These can irritate respiratory systems, particularly for vulnerable populations.”
This incident highlights growing concerns about abandoned or derelict vessels along British Columbia’s waterways. According to Transport Canada data, over 180 vessels have been documented as abandoned or hazardous along BC’s coastline since 2019—often creating both environmental hazards and safety risks.
The Canadian Coast Guard has removed dozens of problem vessels through the federal Abandoned Boats Program, but local officials say more comprehensive solutions are needed.
“This situation demonstrates why we’ve been pushing for stronger regulations on vessel disposal and storage,” said Mission Mayor Paul Horn, who visited evacuation centers set up for affected residents. “We’ve got families displaced from their homes today because of what’s essentially industrial waste sitting in our community.”
By midday, approximately 200 residents had sought assistance at the temporary reception center established at Mission Leisure Centre, where emergency social services provided food, support, and information.
The incident disrupted local businesses and schools, with Mission Public School District implementing a shelter-in-place protocol until receiving clearance from emergency officials. Morning bus routes were cancelled, leaving parents scrambling to adjust work schedules.
“We’re thankful this happened before most people left for work and school,” said School Superintendent Angus Wilson. “But it’s certainly disrupted the community and raised important questions about emergency preparedness.”
For longtime residents, the fire stirred memories of the vessel’s former life. The Queen of Sidney served BC Ferries’ routes for four decades, carrying countless passengers between Vancouver Island and the mainland.
“I rode that ferry dozens of times with my family,” said retired forestry worker James Maclean, 76. “It’s strange seeing something that was once so important to our provincial transportation system become a hazard in our backyard.”
Environmental monitors established air quality checkpoints throughout Mission, with initial readings showing elevated particulate matter in areas closest to the shipyard. Health officials advised residents with respiratory conditions to exercise particular caution.
“Even after the shelter-in-place order is lifted, people with asthma, COPD, or other conditions should minimize outdoor exposure for the next 24-48 hours,” Dr. Tam advised.
The incident raises questions about vessel disposal practices in British Columbia. While the federal
