M5 East westbound lanes closed until at least 4am after truck fire

ALL westbound lanes of the M5 East will be closed overnight after a truck fire damaged the road surface today. Commuters have already endured a horror trip home this evening, with queues more than 10km long banking up behind the scene.

Firefighters continue to douse down the truck after it burst into flames on the M5. Picture: Live traffic Sydney

ALL westbound lanes of the M5 East will be closed overnight after a truck fire damaged the road surface today.

Commuters have already endured a horror trip home this evening, with queues more than 10km long banking up behind the scene at the Kingsgrove end of the M5 East tunnel.

The 61-year-old truck driver had a lucky escape from the accident, jumping to safety before the truck erupted into flames.

A frustrated commuter’s view on the M5.

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Westbound lanes were closed on the M5 at Kingsgrove Rd so the truck could be removed and road repaired.

“A complex and extensive salvage operation is continuing on the motorway near Kingsgrove Rd,” a Transport Management Centre spokesperson said. “Repairs to the road surface will also be carried out at the site.”

No one is getting home quickly.

Detour routes have been put in place to divert traffic around the area.

Authorities hope to reopen the M5 East by 4.30am.

For the latest traffic updates, go to livetraffic.com.

THE TRUCK FIRE

Firefighters battle the blazing vehicle on the M5 today. Picture: Seven News

The truck in flames at Kingsgrove Road today. Picture: Seven News

All westbound lanes were closed on the M5. Picture: Seven News

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus arrived to fight the blaze that engulfed the vehicle about 200m out of the M5 East tunnel.

“The trees alongside of the M5 are catching fire, there’s big black smoke spewing from it, tyres popping,” a witness told radio 2GB.

Smoke continues to billow from the truck. Picture: Fire and Rescue NSW

M5 EAST: All westbound lanes & 1 of 2 city bound lanes are closed due to a truck fire at Kingsgrove. Westbound lanes are closed from General Holmes Dr. Avoid the area or use the D5 diversion: https://t.co/SpGpsh0gEZ pic.twitter.com/VOF5OxSt2U

— Live Traffic Sydney (@LiveTrafficSyd) September 19, 2018

“It’s chaos.”

Motorists have been warned to expect significant delays and heavy traffic conditions in the area as a lengthy salvage operation is now under way.