Truck knocks down power lines and sparks small brush fire on Malahat
Malahat highway closure: crane truck hits power lines, sparks brush fire RCMP say the road reopened after a fast response and no injuries
RCMP on Vancouver Island say a commercial truck with an extended crane struck power lines on the Malahat on Thursday afternoon, causing a small brush fire and closing the highway for several hours.
Police said the incident happened around 3:40 p.m. near South Shawnigan Lake Road and the TransCanada Highway. The downed poles and hydro lines blocked both lanes of the highway and South Shawnigan Lake Road.
According to BC RCMP, the fire on the highway shoulder was quickly put out by a civilian using a fire extinguisher. Investigators said the truck was turning left with the crane extended when it snagged the lines, breaking or damaging five hydro poles. Two other commercial trucks were caught in the downed lines, but no injuries were reported. The highway has since reopened.