The explosion sent a billowing cloud of white smoke up into the sky

Vancouver Fire responded to the large ship, and say that it was a pressure hatch that blew open

An explosion -- but no fire on a cargo ship near the Lions Gate Bridge

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — A loud explosion in the Burrard Inlet just before 5 p.m. Tuesday sent a large plume of white smoke up into the air.

It turned out to be a “pressure explosion” when a hatch door blew off on a container ship, the Vancouver Fire Department confirms. There aren’t any reports of injuries.

A witness calling into NEWS 1130 said she heard a loud explosion.

“Suddenly smoke billowed mid-ship out of the freighter. It didn’t come out of the chimney, it was mid-ship,” said Carina.

“It kept going west. It’s being slowing down gradually, as you know they take a long time to slow down, and it’s turning slightly.”

Here's a video sent from a @NEWS1130 listener of the cloud of smoke coming from a freighter. Turns out the smoke is from a 'pressure explosion' onboard says @VanFireRescue. (Thx @kimmuise for the video) pic.twitter.com/3RcWqwkDWR — Lauren Boothby (@laurby) August 7, 2019

Another witness who spoke to NEWS 1130 moments after hearing a loud noise, says she heard if while she was climbing into her car in North Vancouver.

“I heard a massive boom, like a massive boom,” Linda Jando says. “(The smoke cloud) is pretty big, it’s starting to head toward the Lions Gate Bridge now. I can see it from Taylor Way.”

B.C. Emergency Health Services has a paramedic crew on standby, and Coast Guard vessels have been sent out from the Kitsilano station.

Smoke coming from a ship near the Lions Gate Bridge was a 'Pressure explosion', according to Vancouver Fire, and a hatch door had blown off. Thankfully, no injuries, and it did not cause a fire. @NEWS1130 — Jonathan Szekeres (@jonszekeres) August 7, 2019

Another video of cloud of smoke coming from a freighter after an explosion onboard this afternoon. (Thanks Carina for the video) @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/RLh3gC5Xpd — Lauren Boothby (@laurby) August 7, 2019

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has said they are aware of the incident and are in contact with those involved. It says it’s too early to give any further information.

– With files from Jonathan Szekeres, Peter Wagnar, Lasia Kretzel, Marcella Bernardo, Bailey Nicholson, and Tarrah Harvey