UPDATE: Coquihalla highway reopens after truck fire, corrosive materials spill | iNFOnews.ca
Chemical tanker truck spill on the Coquihalla Highway. SUBMITTED/RAM Environmental Response Ltd.

UPDATE: Coquihalla highway reopens after truck fire, corrosive materials spill

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.

— 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.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Taylor Rae or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. 

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

Tags
Taylor Rae

Before university, Taylor spent a year abroad living in Thailand which encouraged her to finish her degree studying in Turkey, both experiences have made her an avid traveller. Taylor graduated from Thompson Rivers University with a degree in Communications and Public Relations. Although born on the coast, Taylor has lived the majority of her life in Kamloops and enjoys what the region has to offer. In her spare time, you can find Taylor volunteering in the community or out on an adventure with her friends and her dogs.

Related Articles