One of BC’s most scenic hidden gems is sadly no more.
Over the weekend, the iconic wooden platform at the Horseshoe Bay lookout in West Vancouver was destroyed in a fire.
It had become a popular social media and influencer photo spot, thanks to its views of Howe Sound and constant ferry traffic in the bay below.
According to the report by North Shore News, West Vancouver Fire & Rescue crews were called to the scene early Sunday morning after someone reported flames near the lookout.
By the time firefighters arrived, the structure was fully engulfed.
The good news is that no one was injured, and the surrounding vegetation didn’t catch on fire.
Unfortunately, the damage completely destroyed the platform.
Reddit user Dieselboy1122 shared a photo of the aftermath on r/vancouverhiking subreddit.
‘Secret’ Horseshoe Bay Lookout Platform burned and gone!
byu/Dieselboy1122 invancouverhiking
The cause of the fire remains unknown.
For those unfamiliar, the platform had become a not-so-secret spot in recent years, especially after going viral on TikTok and Instagram.
All you needed to do is scramble just a few meters up the bank to reach the lookout, which gave a stunning bird’s-eye view of the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal below.
While the view remains, the structure that gave thousands a place to soak it in sunsets all is gone.
Reactions from Reddit and the local community has already drawn many expressing heartbreak over the loss.
One user summed it up plainly: “This is why we can’t have nice things.”
No word yet on whether a rebuild is in the works, or if the lookout will now return to its earlier, less-developed form.
You can see how it looked before below:
Some locals argue that better gatekeeping or infrastructure is needed as these places explode in popularity.
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