Fuel truck fire south of Nipawin

a fuel tanker truck caught on fire at a Co-op agro centre south of the town Monday afternoon.

Responding to the alarm just before 5 p.m. CST, Nipawin fire Chief Brian Starkell said he could see heavy black smoke as he was driving toward the Pineland Co-op agro centre on Highway 35.

The engine and the cab were fully engulfed in flames by the time firefighters arrived. The tanks were empty

at the time of the fire, but firefighters were still aiming to prevent the spread of the fire to the tanks, where fumes could ignite.

The fire's location at the agro centre was also a concern.

"The wind was blowing directly toward their chemical shed and all their spring chemicals they had for farmers, it was all in there," said Starkell.

Firefighters smothered the flames with foam, applying it to the whole truck and under the engine cab, and the fire was extinguished within 15 minutes.

RCMP blocked off the highway during the fire and paramedics also responded. There were no injuries.

Starkell said Co-op staff got the store evacuated and gathered at their muster point, which he said helped firefighters to focus their efforts on the blaze.

He said his crews got back to the fire hall just after 6 p.m. CST, in time to get ready for the day's fire practice at 7 p.m. CST.