THERE was major travel chaos this evening as firefighters tackled a truck fire on a busy motorway.
The HGV blaze, on the northbound side of the M1 at Junction 4 Donabate in Dublin, started before 4pm this afternoon.
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Emergency services rushed to the scene and the Dublin Fire Brigade has been dealing with the incident since then.
The M1 motorway was closed, with traffic delays building for hours.
Dublin Fire Brigade said a foam tender and water tanker were despatched to the scene.
A large amount of waste spread out onto the carriageway, with a teleporter and prime mover also sent out to the scene to aid with cleanup.
Dublin Fire Brigade posted on X: “The M1 is currently closed as we deal with a HGV fire on the motorway.
“We’re making good progress but traffic delays are building.”
It later added: “Firefighting operations are continuing.
“A foam tender and water tanker are now on scene.
‘Large amount of waste’
“A large amount of waste is on the carriageway.
“We’re using a teleporter and prime mover to help clear the scene.”
Another post read: “Our Manitou teleporter has been used to good effect to remove the burning waste so it can be extinguished and cooled.”
Dramatic pictures posted on the account showed smoke billowing over the motorway, while several vehicles and firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze and move the waste and truck.
‘Expect delays’
TII Traffic said the vehicle fire was causing “heavy traffic”.
It added: “Expect delays and drive carefully.”
Meanwhile, last week the DFB issued an urgent warning ahead of heat hitting Ireland in warmer months.
They alerted the public of the fire hazard associated with reflections.
Reflections can cause fires
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Dublin Fire Brigade warned that reflections from mirrors and glass onto flammable surfaces can cause fires.
They warned: “Just a gentle reminder to remove mirrors, glasses, and vases from window ledges or anywhere they might be exposed to direct sunlight.
“They can cause fires if the sun is reflected onto a flammable surface.”
Where you have a mirror or any other glass object, such as an ornament, that is curved, this allows the glass to act as a lens.
When the sunlight hits it, it becomes concentrated and, if the rays are bounced onto something flammable – like curtains or soft furnishings – then a fire can start.
