Vancouver fireworks store catches fire

A temporary fireworks store in East Vancouver caught fire on Monday morning, creating a dangerous situation for firefighters and disrupting traffic during the busy morning commute.

The fire reportedly broke out around 6 a.m. PT Monday at the rear of the A Plus Garden Supply building at 1450 Venables St., then spread through the rest of the store, setting off fireworks as it went and shooting flames through the roof.

Firefighters had the blaze under control by 7 a.m., but said because of the combination of fireworks and fertilizer in the store, it was too dangerous to enter the building and extinguish the remaining flames.

The fire was first spotted by an assistant fire chief who was driving to work and heard fireworks, and decided to check out the source of the noise.

Fireworks are commonly sold at temporary stores throughout many Metro Vancouver municipalities for Halloween celebrations.