Toxic material clean-up underway on Coquihalla Highway north of Hope following semi-truck fire

MERRITT — Northbound travel on the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt was halted Tuesday (April 21) morning as crews clean up toxic materials on the roadway. 

DriveBC first reported of a semi-truck on fire on Highway 5 near Comstock Road between Merritt and the Coquihalla Summit shortly before 10:00 p.m. Monday. It notes a detour is available via the Trans Canada Highway or Highway 3 to 5A.

Meantime, photos posted to social media show flames from the semi spreading into the nearby forest.

The BC Wildfire Service says a small 0.2-hectare wildfire in the area of the semi-truck fire is under control.