No injuries were reported following a car fire that took place south of Elkford on Wednesday (Aug. 24) morning.
According to an incident report published by the District of Elkford, the Elkford Fire Department received information about an out-of-area car fire near the Weigert Creek FSR and Hwy. 43 at 5:50 a.m. Wednesday.
The vehicle was fully engulfed in flames.
“The cause of the fire is undetermined, but is suspected to have been a wheel bearing or possibly mechanical in nature,” reads the report prepared by the department.
“The driver pulled over immediately upon hearing abnormal noises from the front end of the car. No firefighter injuries are reported.”
The fire department received clearance to respond from the BC Wildfire Service at 6:52 a.m.
“Unfortunately, fire departments have no authority to action a fire outside of their designated fire protection area until permission is granted from the authority having jurisdiction (in this case, the BC Wildfire Service).
“RCMP on the scene were holding traffic from both sides as the firefighters arrived.”
The firefighters determined that there was no threat or exposures to surrounding forest, and directed their attack to the smouldering vehicle.
When the fire was deemed as safe to pass, single-lane traffic was opened as overhaul and extinguishing continued.
Fire department personnel and all apparatuses left the scene at 7:48 a.m.
Elkford fire chief Curtis Nyuli is quoted in the report talking about public safety and the challenge of having to wait when getting a call.
“Public safety and the preservation of life are our first and foremost considerations when responding to these types of incidents,” Nyuli said.
“It’s challenging to have to wait when you get the call—especially in the heightened fire season—and when you’ve been trained to be first in and last out, but we are obligated to follow the correct procedure when responding to these types of calls.”
Nyuli said the fire department is grateful to the RCMP for their quick response and action to shut down the highway.
The district release, found on their website, concludes by linking to the official report, and says that more information can be found by contacting the Elkford Fire Department at 250-865-4020 or cnyuli@elkford.ca.
READ MORE: Two new fires ignite in Elk Valley
READ MORE: District of Elkford welcomes new deputy fire chief to town, Enzo Calla
@fishynewswatch
josh.fischlin@thefreepress.ca
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.