Huge flames from burning diesel tanker truck force evacuations near Truro

Photo from truropowercentre.ca

TRURO, N.S.—Several houses and a seniors residence near Truro were evacuated Wednesday when a tanker truck carrying diesel fuel erupted into flames on Highway 102, just north of Halifax.

No one was hurt, but motorists using the highway were forced to take a long detour as the highway was closed in both directions for more than four hours.

As well, some businesses in the Truro Power Centre mall were also evacuated around 5 p.m.

RCMP Cpl. Scott MacRae says the evacuations were a precautionary measure because there were fears the tanker could explode.

However, firefighters were able to extinguish most of the flames by 9 p.m.

Photos from the scene show a roiling mass of flames pouring from the truck and a large pillar of smoke climbing into the sky.