Vehicle hauler catches fire on highway

Traffic in the eastbound lanes of the Trans-Canada Highway near Brandon was disrupted Friday afternoon after a truck transporting seven vehicles caught fire near the 18th Street interchange.

The truck, which was travelling east toward Winnipeg, began experiencing problems shortly before reaching the intersection where 18th Street connects with the highway.

Brandon Fire and Emergency Services deputy chief Michael Lees said crews quickly contained the fire, preventing what could have become a more serious incident in windy conditions.

Lees said the department received a report at 1:25 p.m. that the rear tires of the transport truck “were involved in flames.”

Firefighters were on the scene five minutes later, he said.

“We did an offensive attack and were able to extinguish the fire fairly quickly. There was some fire exposure to the vehicle above it, but crews were able to get that under extinguishment and prevented further damage.”

No injuries were reported, Lees said.

Lees said the cause of the fire was still under review.

“Our quick response and the ability to get the fire under control quickly, especially in these heavy wind conditions, certainly prevented the fire from spreading and having further damage,” he said.

An eyewitness said another motorist first alerted the driver that the truck was on fire shortly before he reached the 18th Street intersection.

“The driver said he attempted to pull over near 18th Street, but the truck soon became immobile as flames spread around two tires,” the witness said.

The driver emptied two fire extinguishers trying to stop the blaze, while a police officer at the scene also helped with additional extinguishers before firefighters arrived, he said

By about 2:10 p.m., firefighters and police officers remained at the scene, though the fire had already been extinguished.

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