Chemical tanker truck spill on the Coquihalla Highway.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/RAM Environmental Response Ltd.
Republished November 28, 2017 - 5:08 PM
Original Publication Date November 28, 2017 - 9:42 AM
There were delays on the Coquihalla Highway yesterday, Nov. 28, near the Carolin Mines exit caused by a semi-truck fire with a dangerous load.
Highway 5 was closed from Othello to Merritt for most of the day due to a vehicle fire that resulted in a corrosive liquid spill two kilometres West of the Carolin Mines exit.
When two Environmental Emergency Response Officers arrived on scene of the tractor trailer fire, they determined that approximately 20,000 L of the corrosive liquid, known as phenol formaldehyde resin, spilt on the highway and into a ditch.
Emergency Management B.C. says the spill "is contained within a 40-foot stretch of ditch in a natural depression."
The trucks rear bladder, that was damaged, is still on the Coquihalla with sand around the site while the undamaged front bladder, which contains 20,000 L of the corrosive product, has been moved north to a nearby pull-out. Emergency Management B.C. says a poly lining was placed beneath the bladder and a sand berm built around it.
Security remained at both sites overnight.
Last night, both the Northbound and Southbound lanes of Coquihalla Highway (B.C. Highway 5) opened.
Product recovery and a more in-depth environmental assessment will continue today and Emergency Management B.C. doesn't anticipate more updates unless the situation deteriorates.
At this time, there are no reported injuries.
For the latest information, visit Drive B.C.
The Coquihalla Highway was closed Tuesday morning due to a burning semi.
Image Credit: Twitter/One Human
— This story was updated at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017 with information from Drive B.C.
— This story was updated at 1:40 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017 with information from Drive B.C. and Emergency Management B.C.
— This story was updated at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017 with information from Drive B.C.
— This story was updated at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017 with information from Drive B.C. and Emergency Management B.C.
— This story was updated at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017 with information from Emergency Management B.C.
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