Commuters advised to avoid Western Freeway following Rockbank truck fire

A BLAZING truck is still causing peak hour delays this morning on the Western Freeway. The fire was spotted by police last night and extinguished, but crews are still working to remove the damaged truck.

File picture: Nicole Garmston

A TRUCK is causing peak hour pain on the Western Freeway, with motorists advised to seek alternative routes where possible.

An off duty police officer noticed an alight truck driving in Rockbank about 11.40pm Monday night and alerted emergency services.

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ROCKBANK - Heavy delays inbound on the Western Fwy from Coburns Rd due to earlier truck fire before Leakes Rd. Use Melton Hwy & Leakes Rd to get around it. Expect delays #victraffic

— VicTraffic (@VicTraffic) June 25, 2018

Police managed to stop the flaming truck and assisted the unharmed driver from the cabin.

“Police units observed the vehicle on the Western Freeway, managed to pull the truck driver over and assisted in removing him from the cabin,” Victoria Police’s Shona O’Connor told today.

CFA quickly brought the fire under control.

VicRoads is advising motorists to use the Melton Highway and Leakes Rd to avoid the delay.

Crews remain in place as they assess how to remove the damaged vehicle.

@tamsinroses