Delay warning: Rubbish truck fire causes Southern motorway mayhem

Traffic is at a standstill after a fire in a truck at the south end of the Southern Motorway. Image / NZTA

Traffic is backed up on Auckland's busy Southern Motorway at Bombay after a fire broke out in a rubbish truck.

Waka Kotahi NZTA said a southbound lane between Bombay and Pokeno was blocked because of the vehicle fire which broke out before midday.

The agency is warning motorists they will face long delays getting through the area and asking motorists to delay heading south and avoid the area altogether.

Reports of a vehicle fire on #SH1 blocking southbound lanes between Bombay and Pokeno. Please follow directions of emergency services. Delays in the area are likely. ^TP pic.twitter.com/HHzOg2F0lT

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) November 5, 2020

In a tweet the agency asked motorists to expect a long trip south and consider getting off at Mill Rd, Bombay and rejoining the highway at Pokeno if they still planned to head south out of the city.

A Fire and Emergency spokesman said the rubbish truck was well ablaze.

It had erupted into fire on SH1 near the Razorback Rd offramp before the SH2 interchange.

Two engines and a water tanker were extinguishing the flames.

There were no injuries, he said.

Motorists were urged to follow directions of emergency services.

Traffic heading out of Auckland is gridlocked on a stretch of the motorway.

More to come