An auto hauler on the Coquihalla Highway (Highway 97C) near Kelowna, British Columbia, went up in flames on Monday afternoon, causing a major traffic disruption.
According to reports from the RCMP, the incident occurred around 2:30 pm when the driver of the auto hauler noticed smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The driver quickly pulled over and detached the trailer, which was carrying several vehicles, before the fire spread.
The driver was able to escape without any injuries, but the auto hauler and the trailer were completely destroyed by the fire. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The incident caused a major traffic disruption on the Coquihalla Highway, with both northbound and southbound lanes being closed for several hours. The highway was eventually reopened around 6:30 pm, but traffic was still moving slowly due to the backlog.
The Kelowna Fire Department and the BC Wildfire Service were called to the scene to assist with extinguishing the fire. The steep terrain and windy conditions made it challenging for firefighters to contain the blaze, but they were able to prevent it from spreading to the nearby forest.
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure also responded to the scene to assess the damage to the highway and make necessary repairs.
Drivers are being advised to use caution when traveling on the Coquihalla Highway and to expect delays as crews continue to clean up the debris from the fire.
This incident serves as a reminder for all drivers to regularly check their vehicles for any potential issues and to pull over immediately if they notice any signs of trouble. The quick actions of the driver in this situation prevented a potentially catastrophic event from occurring.
The RCMP is asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has any information to contact them at 250-762-3300.
