An explosion and fire involving a commercial tanker truck carrying a large quantity of flammable liquids shut down the Alaska Highway in B.C. on Thursday night. It remained closed this afternoon.

As well, Fort St. John RCMP believe the driver was killed.

Just before 8:30 p.m., police were notified of a collision on the Sikani River Bridge along Hwy. 97 (the Alaska Highway), approximately 200 kilometres north of Fort St. John.

RCMP members from Fort St. John, along with fire departments from Fort St. John and Fort Nelson, attended the scene.

They found the tanker completely engulfed and emitting a large plume of toxic smoke, police said this morning.

“It is believed that the driver of the truck perished in the collision, but a definitive search of the scene has not been possible due to the hazards,” police said.

Although still preliminary, it’s believed the truck collided with a barrier on the bridge, then caught fire. The cause of the collision remains under investigation.

“Hwy. 97 was immediately shut down completely in the area due to the fire and the smoke,” said Sgt. Chris Manseau, the acting senior media relations officer for the B.C. RCMP.

“B.C. Forestry Wildfire has been notified as adjoining brush has caught fire from this collision and subsequent fire.”

The Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service (ICARS) and B.C. highway patrol members have been notified and are currently en route to the scene.

Police Dog Services (PDS) has also been contacted to conduct a search of the area.

“Hwy. 97 remains closed with no anticipated timeline for re-opening,” said Manseau.

“An engineer has been contacted and will attend today to examine the bridge structure prior to its re-opening.”

Motorists are being advised to plan alternative routes, and remain in contact with those who may be anticipating their arrival, and are being delayed due to the collision.

The area is remote, with little to no cell service, and it may be difficult to get information advising of delays.

Fort St. John RCMP have notified both Worksafe B.C. and the B.C. Coroner service.