Times Chronicle Staff
An Oliver man escaped injury when the pickup truck he was driving near Osoyoos caught fire on Highway 3 on May 31.
Osoyoos RCMP were notified of the fire at 3:15 p.m. shortly after a 2017 Dodge pickup was travelling east on Highway 3. It was reported the driver noticed smoke coming from a small external battery pack (the type used to charge cell phones).
“The driver attempted to put the fire out, however, while doing so his sleeve started to burn. He pulled over and within seconds the fire spread and engulfed the truck,” said Sgt. Jason Bayda.
He noted the fire quickly spread to the brush on the side of the road and up a short slope before stopping at the rear of the industrial properties on 115th street.
The truck was a complete loss but the driver was uninjured, Bayda said.
“Great work by Osoyoos Fire Rescue to quickly put this fire out, preventing damage to further property.”
Highway 3 westbound traffic was stopped for approximately 30 minutes, but traffic was able to divert around the scene via 115th Street.
Bayda said one upset driver questioned why they could not drive through the scene when fire crews were allowed to.
“Please understand that smoke from burning vehicles is extremely toxic. Fire crews need to be in the scene to tend to the fire. They wear protective equipment and are trained for these situations,” the officer said.
