Highway 97C shut after truck with chemicals catches fire near West Kelowna, B.C.

WEST KELOWNA, B.C. – Police say a portion of the Coquihalla Connecter outside West Kelowna, B.C., is closed after a commercial truck carrying chemicals caught fire.

West Kelowna RCMP say the eastbound lanes of Highway 97C were shut down Friday as fire crews doused the flames.

Police say the truck was about 20 kilometres outside West Kelowna when it caught fire, and battling the flames is “challenging” because of the chemicals the vehicle was carrying.

Footage and photos from the scene show the truck and roadway engulfed in flames and thick smoke billowing from the fire.

West Kelowna RCMP says drivers should avoid the area if they’re travelling eastbound.

Police say the westbound lanes are still open, but the incident is expected to slow traffic as crews work to put out the fire then investigate its cause.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 17, 2023.