Toxic material clean-up underway on Coquihalla Highway south of Merritt following semi-truck fire

Northbound travel on the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt is 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.