*** VISION ALERT - Fire crews exploring cause of dramatic truck fire - Horsley Park
Published: 22 Jan 2025 12:30pm
Fire crews are working to confirm the cause of a dramatic garbage truck fire last night on the M7 Motorway at Horsley Park, in Sydney's south-west.
The recycling compactor truck was travelling along the motorway, carrying a load of cardboard, just after 6.15pm when it caught alight.
The blaze spread quickly in a westerly direction, igniting adjacent grassland.
Driven by swirling winds, flames jumped an M7 on-ramp and across The Horsley Drive.
Authorities were forced to block north-bound lanes of heavy traffic as the Rural Fire Service called in Fire and Rescue NSW crews to assist firefighting operations.
An FRNSW Rescue crew was forced to cut through the steel body of the truck to access the seat of the fire.
Crews managed to extinguish the aggressive blaze after a series of explosions.
An FRNSW aerial platform was also brought in to attack the fire from above.
A heavy recovery vehicle eventually moved the destroyed truck clear of the motorway.
Firefighters suspect the fire broke out in the vehicle's engine compartment.
Media note - FRNSW footage of the incident is available here: https://vimeo.com/1049092659/6a5dc6ee27?share=copy [external link]
Updated: 22 Jan 2025 11:34am
Details about this incident may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice.
For all life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000)
For flood information, warnings or requests for non-life threatening assistance, call the SES on 132 500 or visit the NSW State Emergency Service website here. [external link].
For information directly relating to bushfires please call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link]
Stations nearby
70 Gloucester Street, Bonnyrigg Heights NSW 2177
42 Huntingwood Drive, Huntingwood NSW 2148
875 The Horsley Drive, Smithfield - Fire Station NSW 2164