A truck fire near Parksville caused temporary closures on the Island Highway on August 13, prompting a swift emergency response.
Parksville Fire Rescue reported that a diesel-powered pickup truck caught fire about 200 metres north of the Exit 46 overpass. Fire Chief Marc Norris said the vehicle had stalled and would not restart, causing smoke to emerge from the engine compartment.
“The three occupants exited the vehicle and removed their belongings, shortly after which the engine and passenger compartments were fully engulfed in flames,” Norris said. No injuries were reported.
Emergency crews shut down the northbound lanes and the on-ramp while extinguishing the fire. Once the flames were under control, the passing lane was reopened. Firefighters remained at the scene until the vehicle and debris were cleared. Mainroad later took over traffic control and assessed the roadway for safety.
Parksville Fire Rescue responded with 14 personnel, including one command vehicle, one engine, two water tenders, and a ladder truck. Two water tenders supplied water for the fire, supported by a tanker from the Errington Volunteer Fire Department.
The incident highlights the importance of quick emergency response and coordination between multiple agencies to safely manage traffic and prevent injuries during vehicle fires.
