BC

A fiery crash north of Merritt has claimed the lives of two people.

Cpl. Shane Moritz of the RCMP's Central Interior Traffic Services (CITS) in Merritt says officers from both Merritt and Kamloops were called out to the crash around 7:30 Friday night.

Two tractor trailer units, one carrying lumber, the other lime, collided head-on about 45 kilometres north of Merritt on Highway 5A.

Both trucks exploded into flames upon impact, killing the drivers.

Moritz reports that the roads were dry, bare and in good condition at the time of the crash and weather is not considered a factor in the crash.

CITS and the BC Coroner's Service are still investigating.

The highway was closed for over 16 hours after the crash occurred.