Two firefighters injured after semi-truck explosion on B.C. bridge

A transport truck fire on the William R. Bennett Bridge near Kelowna sent two firefighters to safety but left them with minor injuries.

The incident unfolded Sunday, July 26 at around 7:30 p.m. on the northbound side of the bridge on the West Kelowna approach. The Kelowna Fire Department responded to a report of a transport truck pulled over with its brake system on fire. Crews extinguished the blaze and were cooling the brakes with a hose line when a small explosion erupted under the trailer, injuring both firefighters. The truck driver and public were unharmed.

The Kelowna Fire Department deployed two engines and a command vehicle with nine personnel total. Kelowna RCMP also attended the scene. One lane of northbound traffic reopened shortly after, though the incident caused major backups extending to near Boucherie Road. Planned bridge maintenance had been scheduled to start at 9 p.m., adding to the disruption.