RCMP say the William R. Bennett Bridge, which connects West Kelowna to Kelowna, was closed in both directions early Monday morning due to a police incident.
Kelowna RCMP said they responded to a person in crisis at around 3:45 a.m. PT Monday. They said the person had parked a vehicle in the eastbound lanes of the bridge and lit a small fire inside the vehicle.
The person was safely removed from the vehicle and taken into custody, police said. An explosives disposal unit is working to ensure the vehicle can be removed from the bridge safely.
“Once we deem the vehicle is safe, it will be removed and the highway will be reopened,” said Cpl. Michael Gauthier, Kelowna RCMP media relations officer said in a statement issued just before 6 a.m. Monday.
“Expect the bridge to be closed for several hours, please make alternate driving arrangements in the meantime.”
The incident has caused major traffic chaos in the area and long lineups on either side of the Bennett Bridge, which crosses Okanagan Lake and is part of Highway 97, the major route leading into and out of Kelowna.
Drive B.C. has posted alternate routes.