UPDATE: Toxic material clean-up ongoing as semi carrying resin catches fire on Coquihalla near Merritt

MERRITT, B.C. — (UPDATE 4:00 p.m.): Northbound travel on the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt remains halted Tuesday (April 21) as crews clean up toxic materials that spilled on the roadway after a vehicle fire around 9:30 p.m. Monday night.

In a statement, the Ministry of Environment and Parks told CFJC Today that the fire that engulfed the northbound semi-truck on Highway 5 near Comstock Road – about 20 kilometres south of Merritt – was caused by overheated brakes.

“The trailer was carrying an estimated 40 drums of Comfort Lock Resin, a resin used in medium-density spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation designed for residential and commercial construction,” the Ministry statement said. “The drums were consumed in the fire.”

While DriveBC says there is “toxic material” on the roadway, the ministry statement said the resin “is not classified as dangerous goods.”