Rafe Arnott/Abbotsford Times
ABBOTSFORD -- A semi-trailer loaded with 20 tonnes of hay burst into flames Monday near the intersection of Mt. Lehman Road and the Fraser Highway in Abbotsford just after crossing the border from the U.S.
Michael Ure, the driver of the truck, said he was flagged down about noon by another vehicle whose driver was screaming at him that the load of hay he was carrying was burning.
"I looked in my [side] mirror and saw smoke billowing out. I pulled over right away and grabbed my fire extinguisher, but it just took off like gasoline."
Ure said the trip from Washington was uneventful, and Canada Border Services at 264th Street had cleared him for entry into the country just minutes before.
"I just about had a heart attack when I saw those flames," Ure said.
Garth Healy, who ordered the load of hay, was on scene after receiving a call from Ure and was thankful the driver was not hurt in the fire.
Healy pegged the value of the load at several thousand dollars, but couldn't comment on what the trailer was worth.
Police and fire continued to investigate Monday, and are examining all possibilities for what may have caused the blaze, including a carelessly thrown lit cigarette.
The fire snarled traffic on Fraser Highway.
RArnott@abbotsfordtimes.com
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