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The Mossom Creek salmon hatchery in Port Moody has burned to the ground.

The fire started earlier tonight and was detected after a motion detector activated the alarm system. As of 9:45 p.m., the fire is mostly out.

Vice-President of the Burrard Inlet Marine Enhancement Society, George Assaf, says the weather conditions made fighting the fire difficult.

“Port Moody Fire Department vehicles are finding it impossible to access the hatchery due to icy road conditions. The building and this years stocks are expected to be a total loss.”

Ioco Road is now fully blocked at Mossom. There’s a detour via East Road.

Mossom Creek Hatchery has been in operation on the North Shore of Port Moody for the past 38 years.

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The hatchery is supported by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and was started by two high school teachers in 1976.

When the hatchery began, there were no salmon left in Mossom Creek but there is now a strong run of Chum and Coho salmon.