An eight-ton truck was completely destroyed in a fire on Vincent Dickinson Road on Sunday, after it reportedly drove over a burning chemical substance that had spread onto the roadway.
Emergency teams from Reaction Unit South Africa responded to the incident and arrived to find the truck’s cab fully engulfed in flames.
According to information from the scene, the driver attempted to avoid the burning material but was unable to do so in time. Shortly after making contact with the substance, both front tyres reportedly burst, forcing the vehicle to a standstill.
The driver managed to exit the truck and ran into nearby bushes to escape the rapidly spreading fire. The flames quickly consumed the cab, leaving it extensively damaged.
Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control before it could spread further. During investigations, it was established that the fire originated from lime, identified as Calcium Hydroxide, which had been stored in an open field next to the road. The substance is believed to have ignited and spread onto the roadway.
Authorities further indicated that the chemical reacted negatively to water, prompting the deployment of a specialised hazardous materials team to assess the situation and determine any potential toxicity risks.
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Both lanes of Vincent Dickinson Road were temporarily closed, with a stop-and-go system implemented to manage traffic while emergency services worked at the scene.
No injuries were reported.
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