The truck driver has been praised for staying on the median strip. Photo: NSW RFS.
Holiday travel plans were thrown into chaos when a truck reportedly carrying 15 tonnes of lithium ion batteries caught fire on the Hume Highway near Yass today (20 December) closing the road in both directions.
The fire was reported shortly after 9:30 am, with RFS and FRNSW firefighters rushing to the scene.
The B-Double truck stopped on the median strip of the Hume Highway, just north of Yass, between Faulder Ave and Cooks Hills Rd, with some commenters praising the driver for not driving it into the tinder-dry grass on the highway verge.
“Kudos to the driver for having the presence of mind to get it off the road,” one wrote. “Wind down the landing legs of the trailer, then uncouple the truck and get to safety.”
Emergency services warned those in the vicinity and in the Yass township itself to stay away from the area and close windows, doors and vents to avoid breathing in the toxic fumes.
Hume Police District posted to social media that there was an “extended exclusion zone due to toxic smoke from lithium batteries being alight”.
“If you reside in Yass Valley area and suffer respiratory illness or injury, shut windows and doors and stay inside. Avoid going outdoors where possible. And delay any travel as the highway will be closed for an extended period,”
The fire closed both directions of the Hume Highway, with heavy holiday traffic forced to detour through Yass.
Traffic was at a crawl for more than six hours and frequently came to a stop. In sweltering conditions, some parents chose to leave their vehicles and walk part of the way.
With many motorists trapped in their vehicles for hours, Yass Woolworths staff began handing out bottles of water to cars stuck in traffic and some residents reportedly handed out drinks and iceblocks.
“We were on the last stretch of being in the car driving for seven hours,” one Facebook commenter wrote.
“Tired, hungry, thirsty, kids fighting in the back. Then we see a family and a bunch of kids on the side of the road with smiles standing in the scorching heat handing out cold drinks and iceblocks! I’m sure you made many people’s day with your act of pure kindness.”
At about 8 o’clock tonight one northbound lane of the Hume Highway was reopened. Motorists were being warned to exercise caution, and continue to allow extra travel time. All southbound lanes remain closed with diversions via Yass township, and traffic was very heavy throughout the area.
Firefighters are expected to let the truck fire burn out rather than risk contaminated runoff getting into local waterways.
Motorists should check www.livetraffic.com for road information before travelling in the area.
