Salmon hatchery destroyed by fire

Photo: Contributed

Mossom Creek Community Salmon Hatchery - April 2009

A community salmon hatchery in Port Moody, has been destroyed by fire.

The fire hit the Mossom Creek Community Salmon Hatchery, which was first established in 1976, on Wednesday night.

Port Moody's mayor, Mike Clay, says it was a horrible experience watching the facility burn, destroying not just the hatchery but mementoes such as scrapbooks and pictures.

The hatchery was first started in the 1970s by volunteers from a high school in Coquitlam and is now run by the non-profit Burrard Inlet Marine Enhancement Society.

The facility supplied thousands of chum and coho salmon to Mossom Creek and other streams that drain into the Burrard Inlet.

Clay says he's confident the hatchery will be rebuilt.

(CKNW, News1130)