A transport travelling on Highway 401 on Monday, July 17, 2023 with emissions problems resulted in five fire departments being dispatched.
Brighton Fire Department first received a call for a truck on fire travelling westbound on Highway 401 at 11:43 a.m.
The caller to 9-1-1 said the transport was smoking, but the transport kept travelling along the highway.
At 11:56 a.m. Cramahe Township Fire Service were dispatched after another reports of the same truck on fire, but still moving along the highway.
Next, Hamilton Township Fire Department were dispatched at 12:28 p.m. to the same vehicle after other motorists saw black smoke coming from the tractor trailer in the area of County Road 2 and Hamilton Road.
Finally, Port Hope Fire and Emergency Services were dispatched at 12:26 p.m. to the area of County Road 28 and Dale Road after motorists saw black smoke coming from the vehicle and thought the vehicle was on fire.
Port Hope Fire and Emergency Services pulled the vehicle over on County Road 2 just west of Wesleyville Road. The driver stated he was aware of the emission problems that may have caused the smoke, so to avoid attention he was trying to make it back to Toronto by way of County Road 2.
Northumberland OPP and MTO arrived on scene a short time later and MTO performed an inspection of the vehicle.
Fire officials state with that many departments trying to track down the tractor trailer, and the operator being away there was a problem of the exhaust emitting a large amount of smoke it’s always best to pull over when it is safe to do so and make repairs at that time.
“The public did the right thing calling in what was thought to be a tractor trailer fire, but a lot of resources across the lower end of Northumberland County were tied up trying to locate what turned out to be a emissions problem,” said Brighton Fire Chief Gene Thompson.
“Although OPP, paramedics and the fire service may even suspect it may be a emissions issue, We still have to respond to ensure there is no fire.”
“If the driver knew there was a problem that was causing attention, pull over and make repairs when it is safe to do so.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
