Bill Copeland Arena is closed until further notice following an electrical fire Monday afternoon.
Patrons and staff at the Bill Copeland Arena were evacuated when a fire broke out in the ammonia and pump room shortly before 2 p.m.
Burnaby firefighters responded to the first-alarm fire, initially requesting assistance from the Hazmat team. By the time firefighters arrived on scene, however, they determined there had been no ammonia leak and the fire was contained to the electrical system, according to Assistant Chief Darcy O'Shea.
"The ammonia system was shut down prior to our arrival," O'Shea said. "The Hazmat team was able to be cancelled because there was no ammonia leak at all."
The ammonia and pump are used in the system that makes and sustains the ice surface of the rink.
The cause of the fire was related to the electrical system, and while there was no threat of an ammonia leak, the building was still evacuated as a precaution. No injuries were reported.
When the NOW reached O'Shea, crews were wrapping up work at the arena, including ventilating the area of any lingering smoke.
O'Shea couldn't say to what extent the electrical system was damaged but said an electrician had arrived on scene and was checking to see what would need replacing or repairing.
According to the City of Burnaby, the Bill Copeland Arena is closed until further notice and all “on-ice” programs have been cancelled. Programs taking place off-ice will continue as usual, and the Burnaby Lake Arena remains open at this time.
