THE Pacific Highway was closed in both directions about ten kilometres south of Coolongolook when a semi-trailer caught on fire last week.
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Firefighters from both the Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW were called to the scene after the semi-trailer caught fire about 7.10am on Friday, October 24.
The truck’s mixed cargo, which included aerosol cans, exploded during firefighters’ efforts to control the blaze.
A 200m exclusion zone was extended to a full kilometre after 8am due to the hazardous material on board, requiring authorities to move cars away from the scene and park heavy vehicles that were unsuited to the detour.
Firefighters used foam to extinguish the blaze, which was quenched in about three hours.
Fire and Rescue NSW spokesman Superintendent Ian Krimmer said aerosol cans were identified in the vehicle’s mixed load and were exploding as firefighters tamed the flames.
Superintendent Krimmer said crews were still unsure on the exact nature of the load but said the manifest identified the truck’s contents as flammable.
No-one was injured in the fire but the highway was closed in both directions until almost 11am.