Truck goes up in flames causing delays for morning commuters on the South-Eastern Freeway

A large truck fire near the tunnels on the South-Eastern Freeway led to lengthy holdups for city-bound traffic this morning.

A large truck fire near the tunnels on the South-Eastern Freeway caused headaches for morning commuters from the Adelaide Hills on Thursday.

Just before 9am, a B-double carrying scaffolding went up in flames in the arrester bed, just metres before it was set to enter the Heysen tunnels.

City-bound traffic was restricted to one lane while Country Fire Service and Metropolitan Fire Service crews rushed to the scene to extinguish the blaze.

The cabin of the vehicle was fully destroyed by the blaze, with the driver managing to escape just in time.

JUST IN: 7NEWS has obtained vision of the moment a semi-trailer exploded as it went up in flames on the South-Eastern Freeway. Crews raced to the scene at Crafers West, extinguishing the blaze and treated the driver who escaped without a scratch. https://t.co/8ftPfGh39Y#7NEWSpic.twitter.com/9qJcY8ze1W

— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) September 15, 2022

Police said it was believed the fire was caused by an electrical fault.

A large smoke plume filled the air as the vehicle went up in flames and continues to affect visibility in the area.

Traffic stretched from the tunnels up to Crafers at one point.

“The traffic holdup is really long.” a caller to ABC Radio Adelaide said shortly after the crash happened.

“There are so many fire trucks, ambulances, police, traffic cops everywhere.”

Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis posted photos of the incident to his Twitter.

“A dangerous situation on the South Eastern Freeway on the down tack (sic) just before the tunnels. I understand the driver is safe & the MFS have responded,” he wrote.

It follows another crash earlier this week on the freeway involving a Porsche and a truck.

Around 4.10pm, police and emergency services were called to the SE Freeway at Leawood Gardens about 4pm on Monday to reports of a collision involving a car and a truck.

Police allege the Porsche Cayenne station wagon smashed into the freeway wall and proceeded to sideswipe a truck.

Truck on fire on the South-Eastern Freeway, near the tunnels. Picture: Roger Yerramsetti

Firefighters extinguish a truck fire just above the tunnels on the South-Eastern Freeway. Picture: Lynton Grace

A dangerous situation on the South Eastern Freeway on the down tack just before the tunnels. I understand the driver is safe & the MFS have responded. pic.twitter.com/B6hUC5lyY5

— Tom Koutsantonis MP (@TKoutsantonisMP) September 14, 2022

The 47-year-old Porsche driver from Kensington Park was taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries.

The truck driver, a 26-year-old man from Davoren Park did not suffer any injuries.

Police are now on the hunt for dashcam footage of the crash.

The crash is a another reminder of the continuing debate over the safety of the freeway.

Last month, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, SA Police and the state government met to discuss additional safety measures including reduced speed limits, a third arrester bed and increased driver education.

Mr Koutsantonis said all options would be considered before the summit reconvened in four weeks’ time.

That debate followed another serious truck crash on July 24 that sparked please for safety reforms.

Witnesses told of the horror as a “truck came flying” through the intersection at the bottom of the South Eastern Freeway, ploughing through seven cars and a bus.

Nine people were taken to hospital after the runaway truck smashed into vehicles at the busy Portrush and Glen Osmond intersection at 3.45pm on Sunday.