Semi bursts into flames; threatens nearby forest

PEACHLAND – A semi truck that flipped on Highway 97C near Peachland yesterday burst into flames prompting police and forestry crews to the scene.

The 61-year-old driver from Delta advised he was having trouble with his brakes as he descended the Brenda Mines hill just before 1 p.m. He was travelling eastbound about 12 km from Peachland. He managed to pull the truck onto a chain off area where it burst into flames. The fire eventually engulfed the tractor and part of the trailer in spite of the driver's effort to quell the flames with a fire extinguisher.

Forestry personnel were called because of the fire's proximity to nearby trees. Once the fire died down, a water truck soaked the area, cooling down the wreck and completely extinguishing hot spots.

The tractor trailer unit is registered to a trucking company out of Manitoba.

Police are reminding commercial drivers to thoroughly inspect braking systems prior to engaging steep hills of the Highway 97 connector.