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Highway 19 closes after fire, crash happen at the same time

Nanaimo Parkway was closed northbound for more than an hour and remained detoured southbound

The Nanaimo Parkway was shut down for more than an hour Friday night following a simultaneous fire and crash north of Mostar Road.

The fire was on the side of the parkway northbound, while the accident, involving a motorcycle, happened almost directly across in the southbound lanes.

All parkway lanes in both directions were closed from about 10:10 p.m., with northbound traffic at a standstill and southbound traffic detoured. At about 11:30 p.m., traffic northbound resumed, with traffic southbound continuing to be diverted.

Drive B.C. reported via social media at about 10:30 p.m. that the highway was closed “due to a vehicle incident. Assessment in progress, use alternate route.” An update at midnight noted that “all [southbound] lanes remain closed at Aulds Road, no estimated time of opening.”

Nanaimo RCMP, Nanaimo Fire Rescue and B.C. Ambulance Service were all on scene Friday night. Nanaimo Fire Rescue was not available for comment Friday night.