What the h3:ll is going on?: Traffic comes to a complete standstill as five fire trucks are called in — a rare incident in a Sydney tunnel leaves drivers frustrated
Traffic has come to a standstill on the Sydney Harbour Bridge after a car caught fire in the tunnel, sending large plumes of smoke through the air and leaving vehicles stuck for kilometres.
The Sydney Harbour Tunnel was closed in both directions after a car caught fire shortly after 8am on Wednesday.
Footage shows large plumes of smoke wafting through the tunnel as drivers are forced to a stop.
Cars were at a standstill on Wednesday morning after a car fire. Picture: NewsWire
The Harbour Tunnel activated its sprinklers after the car caught fire. Picture: Facebook
‘What the hell’: Traffic chaos after car catches fire in Sydney Harbour Bridge
Traffic is at a standstill in Sydney after a…
“What the hell,” one person said as they watched the smoke fill the traffic-congested tunnel.
“That’s a first, there’s a car on fire.”
Sprinklers sprayed water over the car as it crawled past the vehicle, whose bonnet was engulfed in flames.
NSW Fire Service Superintendent Peter Murray told NewsWire a triple-0 call and the automated fire alarm notified firefighters on Wednesday morning.
Five fire trucks were called to the incident, with two trucks making it inside the tunnel.
“Two fire trucks entered the tunnel and using a cross passage from the opposing tunnel were able to locate the vehicle,” he said.
One person was treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation and taken to hospital.
“The vehicle was removed by tunnel operators once the fire was extinguished,” Superintendent Murray told NewsWire.
“The car was severely damaged by the fire. There was extensive traffic disruption as a result.”
The incident caused a massive spike in congestion. Picture: NewsWire
Both lanes have since reopened. Picture: Live Traffic NSW
The car fire caused enormous congestion in peak-hour traffic, with lines of vehicles stretching back kilometres along the Warringah Freeway in North Sydney.
Both the northbound and southbound lanes have since reopened.
“Please continue to allow plenty of extra travel time,” a LiveTraffic NSW statement read.
“Exercise caution, expect delays.”
SOURCE: NEWS.COM.AU
https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/what-the-hell-traffic-at-standstill-after-car-fire-rips-through-harbour-bridge-tunnel/news-story/120bc0c072ccd50f45c11845cb61e62d
