A rubbish truck caught fire in Austinmer on Tuesday, April 30, prompting the driver to dump the burning load onto the road to prevent the fire from spreading. The incident occurred on Lawrence Hargrave Drive near the Austinmer Surf Club around 10:30 am.
Emergency Response
Fire and Rescue NSW crews from Wollongong and Thirroul stations responded to the scene. They found the truck's rear section alight, with flames licking at the rubbish. The driver had already separated the trailer from the cab and tipped the burning waste onto the road.
Quick Action Prevents Escalation
The driver's quick thinking helped contain the fire. Firefighters used foam and water to extinguish the blaze, which had spread to some nearby vegetation. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Traffic was reduced to one lane in both directions while emergency crews worked. Motorists were advised to avoid the area. The road reopened by early afternoon.
Community Reaction
Local residents expressed relief that no one was hurt. Austinmer resident Sarah Jones said she saw smoke from her home and rushed to check. 'It was scary, but the driver did a great job,' she said. The truck was towed away for inspection.
Fire investigators are examining the truck and the dumped rubbish to determine the fire's origin. They remind residents not to put flammable materials in bins.
