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Peachland  

Highway 97 reopens

UPDATE 10:15 A.M.

Highway 97 in Peachland has now reopened following a truck fire.

Peachland Fire Chief Dennis Craig says the department received a call about a flat deck truck on fire at 8:46 a.m.

“A one-ton flat-deck truck hauling insulation caught fire northbound on Antler's Beach Hill,” says Craig. “The driver and passenger got out fine.”

The highway was closed for just under 30 minutes while crews contained the blaze.

“We had to shut the highway down for a little bit while we extinguished the fire, and then we got it opened up to single-lane-alternating traffic as soon as we could,” says Craig.

A tow truck was on scene at 10 a.m., and the highway was reopened fully within minutes.

While the cause of the blaze is unknown, fire officials suspect it was some form of mechanical issue with the truck.

“The driver and passenger smelled smoke in the cab and pulled over and got out,” says Craig. “The cab was fully involved when we arrived.”

Craig says the insulation on the back of the truck didn't hinder their efforts, as housing insulation is fire retardant.

“It just sort of melts and smoulders and stinks a little bit,” says Craig.

While there was concern the fire would spread to nearby bushes and trees, crews were able to keep it contained.

“There was the potential for it to spread into the forests, and it did spread into the grass a little bit, but we were able to contain it really quickly,” says Craig. “It didn't spread more than a couple feet off the side of the road.”


ORIGINAL 9:15 A.M. 

Highway 97 is closed near Peachland this morning due to a reported vehicle fire.

Peachland Fire Department is on the scene battling the fire, which appears to be in the northbound lane.

Castanet will have more details as soon as they are available.

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