Fire and Rescue NSW crews responded to a fire involving a car carrier on the Hume Highway at Denham Court, in Sydney's south west.
The prime mover, carrying several new hybrid vehicles, was successfully detached from the trailer; however, five of the vehicles were destroyed by fire.
Lithium Battery Risk
The hybrid vehicles containing lithium-ion batteries, added to the complexity to the operation. Lithium-ion batteries can ignite with significant force when exposed to fire. Crews removed the vehicles to a safe location, where the batteries will be monitored.
The Hume Highway was closed northbound for approximately 40 minutes while crews worked to extinguish the fire and render the scene safe. Traffic has since resumed, with all lanes reopened and vehicles moving freely. Fire investigators have determined cause of the fire appears to be a mechanical fault in the trailer's wheels.
