The William Bennett Bridge in Kelowna has reopened after it was closed for more than 10 hours today for a police incident.

Kelowna RCMP said a man parked a vehicle on the bridge at 3:45 a.m. today, Jan. 27, and ignited a small fire in the vehicle.

Police said the man was "in crisis" and police called in a bomb disposal unit from Vancouver to deal with the man's van.

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The bridge was expected to be closed most of the morning but didn't reopen until about 2:20 p.m. DriveBC warned of traffic congestion for at least an hour.

There's no second crossing across Okanagan Lake in Kelowna. The only way through is to use Westside Road north to Vernon.

“Once we deem the vehicle is safe, it will be removed and the highway will be reopened. Expect the bridge to be closed for several hours, please make alternate driving arrangements in the meantime,” Kelowna RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Michael Gauthier said at the time of the bridge's closure.

The suspect's van was towed from the bridge after members of the bomb squad deemed it safe for transport.

RCMP say the investigation is ongoing and no further details will be released to the public.

— This article was updated at 2:36 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 to say the bridge had reopened.

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