WESTLOCK – There were no injuries after a motorhome travelling to Edmonton for service burned to the ground last Thursday afternoon on Highway 44.
Westlock County emergency/protective services John Biro said that around 3:20 p.m., June 29, county fire crews were alerted that a motorhome was “fully engulfed” and threatening property south of the Pickardville turnoff on Highway 44.
County crews arrived and due to the fire and unknown size of onboard propane tank under the vehicle, Biro said they exercised extreme caution as “motorhomes can have 80 to 100 pounds of propane on board that poses a threat to anyone in the wrong place at the wrong time if the release valve fails.” RCMP and the county community peace officer were also on site as Highway 44 was blocked to traffic for a short time.
“Crews maintained a safe distance during initial suppression until they got the main fire knocked down and cooled before moving in to extinguish the remaining hot spots,” Biro explained.
“Traffic was then opened to alternating control until debris and the motorhome, which was a total loss, was removed.”
Biro said the motorhome had been heading to the city for maintenance when the occupants noted smoke coming from the engine compartment and they “immediately pulled off into an approach.”
“The engine compartment erupted into flames and quickly spreading to all areas of the motorhome,” he added.
