Truck on fire near Sarina south of Mackay

As crews await the arrival of an excavator to break a truck into pieces, a witness has described the moment he saw a fellow truck driver’s vehicle up in flames. SEE THE VIDEO AND PHOTOS

A witness has described the moment he saw fire engulf a fellow truck driver’s vehicle along the Bruce Highway south of Mackay.

Alaster Moffitt was transporting produce from Bowen to Brisbane when he became entangled in a growing line of traffic as a B-double prime mover blocked both lanes of the highway about 1km south of Sarina at the intersection of Armstrong Beach Rd.

The truck, about 10 vehicles in front of Mr Moffit, had erupted into flames including one of its fuel tanks just after 11am.

“There was heaps of smoke, then the next second tyres were popping, black smoke was billowing up in the air,” Mr Moffitt said, adding he could see flames flaring from the truck’s undercarriage.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokeswoman said they had six firefighting units on scene with the fire now under control.

The Bruce Highway remains closed in both directions with no traffic diversions available as emergency crews wait for the arrival of an excavator to break the truck into pieces.

Alaster Moffitt has been stuck in traffic since about 11.30am following a truck fire that forced the closure of both lanes of the Bruce Highway south of Mackay. Mr Moffitt was in the process of transporting produce to Brisbane. Picture: Duncan Evans

The QFES spokeswoman said this would allow crews to extinguish the fire in more deep-seated parts of the truck.

This follows two firefighters needing to put on specialised breathing apparatus to tackle the blaze which had melted a fuel tank.

A burnt out truck blocks the Bruce Highway south of Mackay on October 12, 2022. Picture: Duncan Evans

It is understood the police are hoping to soon reopen part of the highway for light vehicles only.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said they had attended to the truck driver who had no obvious injuries, and had declined transport to a hospital.

A burnt out truck blocks the Bruce Highway south of Mackay on October 12, 2022. Picture: Duncan Evans

A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said there were notified of the incident after a member of the public spotted fire coming from the truck.

She said the position of the truck had required the police to set up a full road closure.

A QPS spokesman said police were currently trying to help with the traffic congestion which was building on Armstrong Beach Rd.

A truck on fire has closed the Bruce Highway in both directions south of Mackay.

Many drivers, including those with large caravans, are trying to escape the gridlock.

It is understood the truck was carrying compressed cardboard.

An Ergon Energy crew had earlier isolated the overhead power lines.