A brush fire that scorched a 30-metre section of cedar hedge beside a Burnaby cemetery last weekend was sparked by a visitor "apparently burning incense," according to a statement from cemetery officials.
The charred remains of the once full hedge still stand between the Ocean View Burial Park and Patterson Avenue just south of Burnaby's Central Park.
In an emailed statement, the cemetery told the Burnaby NOW that, despite signage throughout the facility informing guests that a fire ban was in place, a visitor was burning incense in the park on Sunday afternoon and started a "small grass fire."
"It was almost immediately extinguished, but it did cause damage to the hedge," said the statement.
Photos of the scene show significant damage to the hedge, but the cemetery said the fire department was not called.
Ocean View said it will remove the burnt section of hedge and replace it.
The company also added a caution to visitors.
"While we know customs are important, we ask that all visitors to the park adhere to signage for the safety and security of everyone paying respects to their loved ones," the email said.
Follow Cornelia Naylor on X/Twitter @CorNaylor
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