On Monday evening at approximately 1106PM, Kentville Firefighters were dispatched to a report of a tractor trailer on fire along Highway 101 in North Alton.
Initial reports indicated a tractor trailer was pulled over and the trailer that was attached was fully involved.
On arrival it was determined that the tractor trailer was hauling tires and the fire was not impacting the tractor. The driver managed to escape from the tractor safely. The fire was focused on the back end of the trailer with heavy fire showing.
Mutual aid was requested from New Minas Fire to assist with fire efforts prior to any apparatus arriving.
Kings District RCMP automatically assisted with shutting down Highway 101 while firefighters worked to contain the blaze.
With many moving parts on scene, firefighters worked to prevent the nearby woods from catching fire, protecting the tractor that was still attached to the trailer and deploying booms to prevent runoff to a nearby brook.
Additional mutual was also requested with manpower and tankers from Waterville, Port Williams & Berwick Fire Departments to the scene.
The tractor was later disconnected from the trailer after the bulk of the fire was knocked down and it was safe to do so. Close to half of the trailer was impacted by fire.
An excavator was later called into the scene to assist with suppression due to the structural integrity of the trailer and active fire still in the middle of the load.
EHS Paramedics were later called to be on standby while crews worked in warm temperatures. There were no reported injuries as a result of the incident.
Deputy Chief, Ian Fairclough, with the Kentville Fire Department confirmed that Department of Environment was contacted as a result of the fire. The cause is being considered as undetermined, but possibly mechanical.
Greenwich firefighters provided standby coverage at the Kentville Fire Station during the duration of the call.
Firefighters remained on scene for multiple hours to ensure the fire was extinguished.
Kelly’s Towing, with a contracted excavator, took care of the recovery effort to ensure the highway was clear of the tractor trailer and tires.
Department of Public Works was also on site to assist with clearing debris from the Highway.
Highway 101 between North Alton and New Minas was shut down for multiple hours while fire crews worked but was later re-opened shortly before 5AM.
Great work by all firefighters and agencies involved.
Adrian J.
