Truck drivers’ ‘miracle’ escape as toxic smoke sparks evacuations

Paramedics say it is a miracle two drivers have survived a fiery truck crash on a major thoroughfare in Sydney’s west, as buildings are evacuated 100 metres in each direction due to toxic smoke.

Emergency services were called to Victoria Street in Wetherill Park at 6.30am on Thursday following reports of a truck accident.

“Two semi-trailers are involved and they’re both on fire now,” Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Brendan Hurley said shortly before 7am, before the fire was contained.

Police said officers were called to reports that two B-double trucks had crashed and caught fire.

“Both drivers sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics,” police said.

NSW Ambulance Inspector Joe Ibrahim said two male patients had been taken to Liverpool Hospital in a stable condition with some facial and chest injuries.

The smoke over Wetherill Park on Thursday.Credit: Twitter/@faully33

“One of them was trapped in that truck for a short period of time while it was alight,” he told 2GB radio.

“It’s truly a miracle that they weren’t more seriously injured.”

Residents have been urged to stay indoors and close windows and doors due to the thick smoke.

“Operations will be ongoing throughout the day to determine the type of loads the trucks were transporting,” Fire and Rescue NSW said, adding that hazardous materials specialists were involved.

A Fire and Rescue NSW spokesman said one of the trucks was carrying lithium batteries.

“It’s highly toxic. It’s about as toxic as it gets,” he said.

He said emergency services had met businesses in the industrial area and everyone had been advised to leave for the day.

Buildings within the exclusion zone, spanning 100 metres in each direction from the crash site, have been evacuated.

Trucks on fire in Victoria Street, Wetherill Park, in Sydney’s west after an accident.Credit: Nine

The spokesman said he was “very surprised” such a significant incident had not resulted in serious injuries despite destroying the vehicles involved.

“It’s surprising but also very good,” he said.

There were separate reports that up to three trucks were involved, but Inspector Ibrahim said from outside the exclusion zone, “due to the nature of what potentially was in those trucks”, they could see two vehicles and treated one patient out of each truck.

More than 60 firefighters were sent to extinguish the blaze and witnesses reported a large plume of smoke.

Firefighters work to contain the blaze. Credit: Nine

Victoria Street remained closed on Thursday afternoon between Cowpasture and Newton roads.

Traffic diversions are in place and motorists are advised to use The Horsley Drive.

Fairfield City police area command officers are investigating.

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