Van smashes into five-ways servo at bursts into flames

A light commercial vehicle has burst into flames after crashing into a petrol bowser in a dramatic late night incident at a west Cairns servo.

Fire crews had the fire out within 15 minutes of arrival. Picture: Supplied

A light commercial vehicle has burst into flames after crashing into a petrol bowser in a dramatic late night incident at a west Cairns servo.

Shortly before midnight on Friday a white van turning right onto Pease St Manoora, failed to negotiate the bend and careened into the Shell Coles Express servo.

Late on Friday night emergency services were called to a fire at the Pease St Coles servo after a van crashed into a petrol bowser. Picture: Supplied

The impact of the vehicle hitting the bowser ignited fuel and the blaze appears to have completely destroyed the van.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said triple-0 callers reported hearing an explosion and seeing the van engulfed in flames at 11pm.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services arrived on scene at 11.05pm. Picture: Supplied

“The driver was out of the vehicle and the fire was spreading and reports from triple-0 stated an explosion was heard,” the spokeswoman said.

“The car was fully engulfed and it did spread to the building.”

Fire crews had the fire extinguished by 11.20 after arriving on scene at 11.05pm.

The Shell Coles Express service station on Saturday morning after a van erupted in flames on Friday night. Picture: Peter Carruthers

“It’s pretty much just around the corner from the fire station so that was good,” the spokeswoman said.

“No one was hurt and (Queensland Ambulance Service) treated a few patients at the scene.”

At the servo on Saturday morning the Coles Express convenience store was open but all petrol pump access was restricted by police incident tape.

Access to all petrol pumps have been closed off. Picture: Peter Carruthers

Staff expressed frustration that the bowsers were out of action.

It’s unknown if the van was stolen or if any charges will be laid in relation to the incident.

A police spokeswoman stated the white van was not stolen.

“Initial reports indicate at approximately 10.45pm, a van was turning right into Pease St from Reservoir Rd when it collided with another vehicle, before hitting a service station petrol bowser,” the spokeswoman said.

The driver of the van, a 31-year-old Cooktown man, was taken to hospital.

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Originally published as Van smashes into five-ways servo at bursts into flames