The Stuart Highway was closed for three hours yesterday.

It is believed at about 3.00 pm yesterday a white freightliner prime mover and two trailers full of hay erupted in flames.

The vehicle was travelling south bound on the Stuart Highway about five kilometres south of Hayes Creek when the incident occurred.

Police observed smoke coming from the trailer and instructed the driver to move off the road and detach the trailers from the main vehicle. After doing so the primary trailer erupted into flames causing a major bush fire in the area.

Pine Creek Police were on the scene with in 20 minutes and controlled traffic successfully containing the scene until Fire and Rescue crews attended.

Fire and Rescue personnel along with near by earthwork contractors extinguished the flames and removed destroyed trailers off the road to allow traffic to flow.

All debris was removed from the road with the assistance of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure personnel and the Stuart Highway was re opened at 6.00 pm.

The damage caused by the fire is estimated at $200 000.

Media Contact:
Rickie Scoot
8922 3185