What caused the Hume Highway closure near Yass?

A truck carrying 15 tonnes of lithium ion batteries caught fire, forcing the closure of the Hume Highway.

How dangerous are lithium ion battery fires like the one near Yass?

Lithium ion fires can release toxic gases and vapors, posing risks to people and the environment.

When will the Hume Highway reopen after the Yass incident?

Disruptions were expected to last for several days following the incident on Saturday morning.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Lithium Fire Halts Hume Highway

Lithium Fire Halts Hume Highway

20 Dec, 2025

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Summary

A truck carrying 15 tonnes of lithium ion batteries caught fire.
The incident closed the Hume Highway in both directions for hours.
Firefighters are letting the fire burn due to water scarcity.

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.