Truck carrying load of trees in Stirling bursts into flames after engine fault
An engine fault has caused a truck carrying a load of trees to rapidly burst into flames in the Adelaide Hills – but firefighters were quick to jump on the threat.
SA News
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A truck carrying a load of trees has been destroyed after it burst into flames on a narrow street in the Adelaide Hills on Monday.
The truck caught alight on Oakbank Street at Stirling just after noon, causing loud bangs to be heard by nearby residents.
Antony Ceravolo was returning home from a shopping trip when he saw “huge, black smoke” billowing into the sky.
“I’ve never seen smoke like that, but when you see smoke you react to it because of the fire danger up here,” he said.
“Luckily the truck driver got out and was absolutely fine.”
He called triple-zero, but Country Fire Service crews were already on the scene by the time he could complete the call.
Mr Ceravolo, who filmed CFS volunteers dousing the flames, said the vehicle belonged to hire company Budget.
The fire started from an engine fault and flames quickly engulfed the cabin. An SA Police spokeswoman said the truck was carrying a variety of “landscaping trees” that were in pots.
Mr Ceravolo said: “There were lots of explosions. There were about five or six quite big bangs, so I naturally assumed it was a house with gas bottles.”
“But when I turned around the corner I was really surprised to see it was a truck.”
CFS crews had flames under control within 10 minutes.
“Luckily everyone is okay. It’s just good to see how responsive our emergency services are.”