Semitrailer carrying aerosol sprays explodes in flames on Pacific Highway

A B-twin trailer carrying a large quantity of aerosol spray burst into flames on Thursday evening, causing traffic chaos on a major NSW motorway.

The truck and trailer were traveling on the Pacific Highway south of Ballina when it caught fire around midnight.

The vehicle was carrying six tons of aerosol spray cans and bags of gravel and pipe mulch, which ignited and caused an explosion.

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The vehicle was destroyed in the fire, although the truck driver and the driver of a nearby vehicle managed to get out of their vehicles and escape from the blast.

Three Ballina Fire and Rescue NSW trucks and one Goonellabah Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) unit were supported on site by four rural fire service tankers, NSW Police and NSW Ambulance.

Firefighters put out the truck fire and numerous spot fires caused by the exploding canisters. They also installed an absorbent barrier to protect the area from spills and decanted 400 liters of diesel fuel from the burning rig.

Investigations into the cause of the incident are ongoing.