Truck fire on Auckland’s Southern Motorway, up to 30 people evacuated from homes

Up to 30 people have been evacuated from homes adjacent to Auckland’s Southern Motorway, after a truck carrying chemicals caught fire in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Fire and Emergency NZ said between 20-30 people were evacuated from houses on Harbourside Drive adjacent to motorway.

The fire occurred on the northbound lane of the Southern Motorway, just north of the Papakura on-ramp.

FENZ said the fire was well-involved when they arrived on scene at 3:10am.

The fire has since been extinguished. At the peak of the fire, 12 fire trucks were in attendance.

Just before 6am there were still 8 on scene, FENZ said.

The Southern Motorway is partially closed due to the fire.

“Due to a truck fire, SH1 is closed after Papakura,” Waka Kotahi said on its website. “Avoid this area and expect delays.”

There have been no reports of injuries.