A burning trailer shut down a portion of Highway 97 in Lake Country Sunday.

At about 5:13 a.m., RCMP received a report of a semi trailer engulfed in flames in the north bound lane of Highway 97, just north of Pelmewash Parkway.

“The driver heard a loud bang from and the rear tires were on fire,” said Gord Molendyk, RCMP spokesperson.

The trailer full of apple juice was on its way to Calgary.

Police and firefighters attended and at first there was single-lane alternating traffic after a brief delay.

Eventually, the highway was fully re-opened except for a short portion where the burned trailer remained parked until Monday.

“The roads were very slippery for several hours afterwards,” said Molendyk of the water being pumped on to the road freezing and causing icy conditions.

“The fire was also hot enough to damage the asphalt.”

It’s believed the fire was caused by a mechanical issue with the trailer.