A semi-trailer carrying six tonnes of aerosol spray cans caught fire late last night, causing significant disruption on the Pacific Highway near Ballina.
The fire, which occurred just before 11:30 PM, resulted in explosive bursts from the cans and blocked the southbound lanes near Pimlico, on the state's far north coast.
Emergency Response and Fire Containment
The incident prompted an immediate response from emergency services, including three Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) trucks from Ballina, a Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) vehicle from Goonellabah, four Rural Fire Service tankers, as well as NSW Police and Ambulance.
Firefighters worked diligently to extinguish the blaze on the truck and tackle numerous smaller fires caused by the explosions at the scene.
Environmental Protection Measures
To mitigate environmental damage, crews deployed an absorbent barrier to manage liquid run-off
To mitigate environmental damage, crews deployed an absorbent barrier to manage liquid run-off.
Additionally, 400 liters of diesel fuel were safely decanted from the burning vehicle, which was ultimately destroyed in the fire.
Traffic Disruptions and Ongoing Investigation
While the operation was underway, traffic was reduced to a single lane heading north, lasting about three and a half hours. Both the truck driver and a nearby motorist escaped unharmed.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. In addition to the aerosol cans, the semi-trailer was transporting bags of gravel and cane mulch.
