Truck catches fire on Waikato highway

Photo / File

Firefighters are currently battling a large truck fire in Waikato.

Fire Service shift inspector Scott Osmond said emergency services were called to the blaze on State Highway 27, just south of the Ngatea turn-off, by the truck's driver at about 6am.

"The truck was carrying a whole lot of paper for recycling," he said.

Mr Osmond said firefighters were still dampening down the paper pallets about 11.45am today.

Police said the road was now expected to remain closed until midday.

Diversions have been set up at the intersection of State Highway 27 and Tahuna Rd to the south, and at the intersection of State Highway 27 and State Highway 2 to the north.

The truck driver was unharmed by the fire, and an investigation into the cause of the blaze would be launched once it had been extinguished, police northern communications shift inspector Lou Alofa said.

Drivers should use alternative routes if possible.