Tyres pop in road train fire in Alice Springs

Red Centre residents hoping for an early night after a the public holiday were woken by loud bangs.

Tyres popping in a road train trailer fire in Alice Springs on Monday night, May 5, 2025, could be heard all over town. Picture: Facebook/ Action for Alice

Welcome to the NT News’ weekly Alice Springs and Central rolling police, crime, traffic, fire and breaking news blog. Keep up with the latest news from Alice Springs right up to the Barkly.

May 6, 6am: Truck tyres popping in a fire have given some residents of the Red Centre capital a fright, but a quick response from fireys stopped it from spreading.

NT Police southern watch commander Ross McLeay said a road train trailer caught on fire on Telegraph Tce in Alice Springs about 10.15pm on Monday.

Mr McLeay said the fire was caused by the brakes on the A-trailer of the road train.

The fire spread up to the curtain of the trailer and caused two of the trailer tyres to pop, he said.

The noise was heard across town, he said, but a quick response from fireys meant the blaze was quickly contained.

The A-trailer was carting stock feed, with the rest of the road train carrying general freight, he said.

He said the trailer had minor damage.

The truck driver was uninjured and the trailer was towed from the scene.

Originally published as Tyres pop in road train fire in Alice Springs