Tanker truck catches fire on A2 - highway fully closed
A tanker loaded with 34,000 liters of fuel caught fire on the Autobahn 2 in East Westphalia, causing massive traffic delays. However, the fire department was able to prevent the flames from spreading to the flammable load. According to the police, the A2 was temporarily closed in both directions in the middle of rush hour on Wednesday morning. In the direction of Dortmund, the closure was expected to last until midday.
The tanker truck had suffered engine damage between Vlotho-West and Herford-Ost. The driver's cab was quickly engulfed in flames. The 43-year-old driver was able to stop on the hard shoulder and get to safety in time. He tried to contain the flames himself with a fire extinguisher.
The fire department was able to cool down the tank of the hazardous goods transporter in time so that the fuel did not catch fire. The fire in the engine and driver's cab generated so much heat that the truck's tires melted. The 43-year-old driver survived the fire unharmed.
The sudden tanker truck fire on the A2 led to significant traffic disruptions, with numerous accidents reported due to the unexpected closure and diversions. Despite the temporary easing of traffic flow, the danger of more accidents remained high as motorists had to navigate unfamiliar routes.
Source: www.dpa.com
