Photo by Helen Bennett / Pattison Media

By Liam Verster

Car Fire, Crash

Car fire and crash slow down traffic on Highway 97

Aug 21, 2024 | 5:19 PM

Update: 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 22

The car fire on highway 97 caused a major traffic stoppage Wednesday.

The District of Lake Country confirmed that firefighting personnel were dispatched to the scene of a car fire on the highway just north of Winfield, Lake Country at around 3:30 p.m. August 22.

The fire was extinguished, but northbound traffic was halted for roughly two hours as crews extinguished the blaze.

The District said the cause of the fire remained under investigation as of Thursday morning.

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The condition of the occupant or occupants of the vehicle was not know. B.C. Emergency Health Services had not responded to a request for comment as of Thursday.

Reports from the scene also stated there was a car crash in the southbound lane also north of Winfield, though the RCMP has not confirmed that incident.

— Original Story —

Traffic was backed up in both directions on Highway 97 Wednesday due to two incidents on the road.

Reports from people on the road stated there was a vehicle fire in the north bound lane of Highway 97 near the Pelmewash Parkway turnoff into Oyama at around 4 p.m., Aug. 21.

Photo by Helen Bennett / Pattison Media

There was also reports of a single vehicle crash in the southbound lanes in the same area at the same time.

Photos from the scene showed traffic backed up in both directions.

Photo by Helen Bennett / Pattison Media

Vernon Matters requested more information and details on the incidents from the RCMP, EHS and fire department, though none had responded to the request as of time of publication.