Traffic on the N3 heading towards Pietermaritzburg came to a standstill late Monday afternoon after a truck caught fire near Lynnfield Park, just before Umlaas Road.
The northbound lanes were closed to traffic as thick smoke and flames engulfed the vehicle, forcing authorities to divert motorists onto alternative routes such as the R103. Heavy traffic delays have been reported in the area.
Mi7 EMS Operations Manager Andrew Brown confirmed that emergency teams were dispatched shortly after 16:40.
“The fire is bad at this moment and we are urging motorists to use alternate routes or delay travel where possible,” he said.
According to Brown, the truck’s driver and assistant managed to escape without injuries.
Watch: N3 Durbanbound closed at Shongweni following truck fire
“When paramedics arrived on scene, the driver and conductor reported that a tyre came off and that’s when the fire started,” Brown explained.
He added that the vehicle may have been carrying paper material, which could be fuelling the blaze. A firefighting crew was still on its way at the time of reporting.
Motorists travelling towards Pietermaritzburg are advised to avoid the area until the road has been reopened.
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