Coquihalla Hwy. closed after semi-truck engulfed in flames

A semi-truck on fire on the Coquihalla Highway is shown on Monday, April 20. (Courtesy: Skilled Truckers Canada)

The Coquihalla Highway was shut down between Hope and Merritt after a semi-truck became engulfed in flames Monday night.

The B.C. RCMP says first responders were called to the vehicle fire near the Coldwater Road exit just after 9 p.m.

The flames spread into the adjacent trees and started a wildfire, which B.C. Wildfire Service members were called in to suppress.

As of Tuesday morning, the wildfire was classified as under control at 0.2 hectares.

Highway 5 was originally closed in both directions, and on Tuesday morning the northbound lanes remained shut.

DriveBC said environmental cleanup was underway to remove toxic material from the road.