New Westminster police are seeking witnesses to a Friday morning fire in the 900 block of 12th Street.
Several small businesses were affected by the stubborn fire at 12th Street and 10th Avenue on the New Westminster/Burnaby border. Traffic had also been blocked on Friday morning in the area and commuters were advised to avoid the area.
Police put out a news release asking witnesses to come forward and seeking anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage of the area from around midnight to 1 a.m., with the New Westminster Police Department's major crimes unit helping to investigate.
New Westminster fire crews responded to reports of an explosion and fire at a barber shop called Master Fade.
When crews arrived, there was heavy smoke showing from the roof and from inside three to four businesses.
There was glass strewn across 12th Street from the explosion.
New Westminster firefighters were assisted by crews in Burnaby as the fire became stubborn and appeared to be travelling in the ceiling.
No word on a cause yet and no injuries were reported.
More than 40 firefighters were on the scene battling the blaze.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Leaver at 604-529-2562 or the major crime tip line at 604-529-2430.
