Car fire closes Highway 99 in both directions at Peace Arch Border (VIDEO)
Drivers headed to the US from BC are being told to expect delays after a massive car fire at the border.
The three-car fire closed Highway 99 in both directions at the Peace Arch border crossing shortly before noon. Pictures and video posted to social media show a vehicle engulfed in flames and smoke shooting into the air, and teams of emergency responders on scene.
The Ministry of Transportation says the incident happened on the American side of the busy border crossing but was causing delays on both sides of the border.
Police are on scene near the #PeaceArch border for a serious 3 vehicle collision. Highway 99 is CLOSED in both directions until further notice. Use the Pacific Crossing as an alternate. pic.twitter.com/8AkxmeENxo
— Surrey RCMP (@SurreyRCMP) May 2, 2019
Surrey RCMP is advising drivers to avoid the area and use the Pacific Highway crossing instead.
Unfortunate event unfolding at the Peace Arch border crossing. pic.twitter.com/XZQtavNz8g
— John Kageorge (@JKageorge) May 2, 2019
Canada Border Services is advising drivers that all traffic is now being rerouted to the Pacific Highway crossing.
Due to an incident at the #Douglas #PeaceArch port of entry, all traffic is being rerouted to the #PacificHighway border crossing until further notice. pic.twitter.com/D4ob3KkuUS
— Border Services PAC (@CanBorderPAC) May 2, 2019
At the peace arch border @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/9N0G22BP5g
— xin 🌸🌺🌼💕 (@thosewhoknew) May 2, 2019
Singer Dan Mangan said on Twitter an SUV pushed a minivan onto the boulevard before it caught fire.
“Just witnessed brutal accident at #peacearch border crossing.. SUV full speed pushed a minivan 200 ft. on blvd, which burst into flames” he said. “Some heroes pulled driver out of SUV but nobody got out of van 20 ft flames.”
Just witnessed brutal accident at #peacearch border crossing.. SUV full speed pushed a minivan 200 ft. on blvd, which burst into flames. Some heroes pulled driver out of SUV but nobody got out of van 20 ft flames. Hold on to your ppl. Things can change in an instant. Holy shit.
— Dan Mangan (@danmanganmusic) May 2, 2019
Another witness responded to the tweet with further details claiming they heard a “boom and saw smoke” and were just 10 cars ahead of the accident.
I was only 10 cars ahead of this. Heard to boom and saw the smoke and was rushed through the border. Awful.
— Alexis Rae (@alexisoptional) May 2, 2019
Expect delays if you’re travelling to the United States today. Incident is on the American side of the #PeaceArch border crossing but is causing delays on both sides. https://t.co/IxWZqrpLZZ
— Drive BC (@DriveBC) May 2, 2019
More to come …