A semi-truck has been allowed to smoulder at the side of the Trans-Canada Highway five kilometres east of Revelstoke after bursting into flames sometime Thursday morning.
The semi, which was carrying a load of groceries that included parsley, cilantro and bok choy, amongst other items, was a little more than a smoking shell when the Times Review drove out to the scene at around 11 a.m. on Sept. 13.
The driver was able to pull the truck over and get out without injury, said Staff-Sgt. Jacquie Olsen of the Revelstoke RCMP.
The Coastal Pacific Xpress vehicle was burning at a pull-out five kilometres east of Revelstoke. Smoke billowed high into the air and a smell of smoky metal, burnt food, and melted rubber permeated the air.
Three people were stopped at the scene to check out the wreckage and pose for pictures, using a fire extinguisher as a prop.
Revelstoke Fire Chief Rob Girard said he went out to visit the scene earlier in case there was any hazardous material cleanup needed. The crash is outside of the fire department's coverage area, so the decision was made to let it burn out.
"If it put the surrounding forest at risk and put the city at risk, we would seek the permission of the CAO or the mayor [to put out the fire]," said Girard.
The cause of the fire is unknown, though it appears to have started in the engine block before spreading to the rest of the semi.
The truck was full of produce, including lots of leafy greens. Photo by Alex Cooper/Revelstoke Times Review.