Lithium Fire Halts Hume Highway

A major highway in New South Wales was brought to a standstill on Saturday morning when a truck carrying approximately 15 tonnes of lithium ion batteries caught fire. The incident occurred just after 9am on the Hume Highway near Yass, north of Canberra, forcing traffic to halt in both directions.

Fire and Rescue NSW crews worked to mitigate the situation, successfully removing the truck's cabin and second trailer before they ignited. However, due to the risk of toxic gas emissions and vapour clouds, public access was restricted for 700 meters around the blaze, leading to extended traffic closures lasting several hours. Officials warned that disruptions could persist for several days, advising motorists to postpone travel plans through the affected region.

Firefighters adopted a strategy of allowing the fire to burn out, citing a lack of sufficient water to extinguish the flames and difficulties in containing contaminated runoff that could enter nearby waterways. Lithium ion battery fires are a growing concern, linked to numerous incidents and posing a significant risk due to the toxic gases they can eject. No injuries were reported, and police have stated the fire is not suspicious.