UPDATE: Coquihalla remains closed after early morning truck fire; not likely to open before midnight | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Kamloops News

UPDATE: Coquihalla remains closed after early morning truck fire; not likely to open before midnight

Smoke can been seen from the truck fire that closed down the Coquihalla highway this morning, May 22, 2017.
Image Credit: TWITTER/VSA Highway Maintenance
Original Publication Date May 22, 2017 - 11:36 AM

KAMLOOPS - Crews are on scene trying to figure out what to do after a transport truck caught fire on the highway this morning.

The Coquihalla will be closed south of Merritt in both directions for hours as crews figure out how to deal with the truck, which caught fire early this morning, May 22. It was carrying dangerous goods, according to Drive B.C.

VSA Highway Maintenance crews are on scene, according to the company's twitter account, along with a hazardous materials group. There's estimated time of reopening is midnight, currently. An update is expected at 11:30 p.m. tonight.

Crews are beginning tot clean up the scene.

The Interior Health Authority has issued an air quality advisory for the Kingsvale area south of Merritt, due to the fire and smoke in the air. In a press release the health authority advises if anyone smells anything strange in the air in to head indoors immediately. If the smell persistts, leave the area.

A detour using Highway 1 has been set up.

— This story was updated at 1:15 p.m. Monday, May 22, 2017 to with updated information from Drive B.C. and the Interior Health Authority.


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