Traffic chaos after truck carrying toilet paper catches fire on Western Freeway
Photos have revealed the charred mess caused by a ferocious toilet paper truck fire that has kept a major Melbourne freeway shut for hours.
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A truck transporting toilet paper caught fire causing peak-hour chaos on the Western Freeway on Wednesday morning.
Fire crews were called to two semi-trailers alight about 4.30am at Hopetoun Park, which forced the closure of all Melbourne-bound lanes.
Traffic was diverted to the Old Western Highway/Bacchus Marsh exit, with drivers then forced to return to the Western Freeway via Coburns Road through Melton.
The Department of Transport said the section of the freeway would remain shut until midday as emergency crews cleaned up charred rubble across the roadway.
“This closure is under Victoria Police control. The Melbourne-bound lanes of the freeway will reopen when investigations are complete and it’s safe to do so,” a spokesperson said.
Fire Rescue Victoria said more than 10 crews responded to the incident.
Firefighters wore breathing apparatus as they tackled the blaze, eventually bringing the fire under control by 6.30am.
Originally published as Traffic chaos after truck carrying toilet paper catches fire on Western Freeway
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