07 Mar 2023 | 06:31 PM UTC
New Zealand: Lingering transport disruptions likely after chemical truck catches fire on Auckland Southern Motorway in Papakura early March 8
Lingering transport disruptions likely after chemical truck catches fire on Auckland Southern Motorway in Papakura, New Zealand, March 8.
Event
Lingering disruptions to transport are likely on and near the Auckland Southern Motorway in the Papakura area over the coming hours after a truck carrying chemicals caught fire on the route early March 8. Authorities have extinguished the blaze, which caused several explosions after igniting north of the Papakura on-ramp shortly before 03:00; the incident did not result in any injuries. Officials had evacuated dozens of people from homes near the thoroughfare and have reportedly issued a shelter-in-place notification for residences on Harbourside Drive.
Southbound lanes of the highway had reopened and northbound lanes remained closed as of 06:50. However, authorities have warned that long delays are likely in both directions over the coming hours and that there is still a significant amount of debris to clean up on the highway.
Heightened security is likely near the scene of the fire over the coming hours as authorities' cleanup work continues.
Advice
Seek alternative routes to circumvent the scene of the blaze and related disruptions. Consider remaining indoors if smoke is heavy, especially if you suffer from a respiratory illness such as asthma, or conditions that lead to increased risk from smoke exposure. Eye irritation is possible; flush irritated eyes with copious amounts of clean water. Heed all official instructions, including evacuation orders.
