The actions of three individuals prevented a forest fire at the scene of an accident on Highway 3 last Thursday (Aug. 1), according to Grand Forks RCMP.
The truck rollover accident and subsequent fire occurred near the Wilgress Lake rest area, between Grand Forks and Greenwood, and Grand Forks Fire Rescue was dispatched but Const. Neal Kalnin said passersby assisted greatly in containing the fire.
“The fire travelled up the hill and three people took the time to stop and put out the fire that was travelling up the embankment and I believe due to their actions, we did not have a forest fire,” Kalnin said.
Grand Forks Fire Rescue arrived at the scene and according to Grand Forks Fire Rescue assistant chief Kevin McKinnon, the fire was put out completely.
“There was a fire, so we sent fire trucks out there and it did spread slightly into the wildlands so we had to get that contained as well,” McKinnon said.
As for the truck and its driver, no injuries were sustained.
“It (the truck) had rolled over onto its driver’s side and continued across the eastbound lane of traffic and resided in the ditch, at which point it caught fire and was fully engulfed – the driver exited without any injuries. He had been wearing a seatbelt and was able to get out without any injury due to the fire or the accident,” explained Kalnin. The RCMP constable also wanted to bring to light the actions of the three people.
“I think they pretty much saved our community here from a (tragic event) like back in 2003 up in Barriere,” he went on to say.
While speed or mechanical failure could be reasons for the accident, Kalnin said nothing has been determined and the investigation is ongoing.
“We’re still investigating that; a commercial vehicle inspector is also working on that as well,” he said, adding that deer or wildlife were ruled out as causes for the accident.