Burnaby, B.C., fuel refinery reports water leak; residents asked to avoid local park

Sunoco's Burnaby Refinery is seen in Burnaby, B.C., on Monday, June 30, 2025. The refinery produces gasoline, diesel, jet fuels, asphalts, heating fuels, heavy fuel oils, butanes, and propane. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Residents in the Metro Vancouver city of Burnaby have been asked to avoid a local park after a reported water leak at a fuel refinery in the area.

A statement released by operator Sunoco LP says the refinery was responding to a “small on-site leak of process water” from one of its tank farms, resulting in possible odour for people living nearby.

Sunoco says its team had begun its response procedure to the leak.

A statement from the city says its fire crews have been on the scene since about 3:30 a.m. Monday and are actively monitoring air quality.

“Our crews are working closely with Sunoco and are supporting ongoing response efforts,” the statement says. “We appreciate the public’s patience as this situation continues to be managed.”

The company has asked people to avoid nearby Confederation Park and says it has installed air monitors along the route bordering the refinery area.

The refinery produces about 30 per cent of all transportation fuel used in B.C.

The former Parkland refinery, before Sunoco LP took over the operation last year, had previously released a noxious odour during another leak in January 2024 caused by unusually cold weather disrupting operations.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 8, 2026.