Merritt RCMP say a semi-truck fire on the Coquihalla yesterday that has affected traffic for more than a full day is not suspicious in nature.

Cpl. Brock Hedrick says police think the fire started in the truck’s engine. It happened northbound about eight kilometres outside of Merritt, and forced the Coquihalla to be shut down northbound for about five hours.

“Realistically, it was just a vehicle fire and there was no fire response, so the thing just sits there and burns out. It’s frustrating for everybody. Maybe the Ministry of Highways can speak to how they deal with that. Other than we end up investigating the fire or the collision, if that happens to be the case, after that it gets turned over to the Ministry of Highways and it’s their baby from there.”

And as of now, nearly 30 hours later, only one of three northbound lanes are open just north of Merritt, and there’s no word on when the highway will be fully reopened.

DriveBC is expected to give an update by 4 p.m.

(Photo: Kayleigh Milobar)