By ALENA HIGGINS
THE Cunningham Highway between Warwick and Inglewood was closed for more than 15 hours last week after a semi-trailer carrying toxic chemicals caught fire.
The B-double, carrying a full load of ethanol fuel, was travelling east near Gore at about 10pm on Thursday when the driver checked his side mirrors and noticed flames in between the two trailers.
The 56-year-old male from Brisbane immediately pulled over and attempted unsuccessfully to extinguish the blaze, but his quick-thinking actions saved the prime mover, which he unhooked and drove to safety before the trailers were fully engulfed by flames.
Once at the scene, emergency crews cordoned off the area and imposed road blocks until about 2pm the next day.
Other B-doubles caught up in the incident were forced to spend the night stationed on the road as they were unable to turn around.
Northbound traffic was diverted along the Millmerran-Inglewood Road, while southbound motorists were urged to use the New England Highway between Warwick and Stanthorpe.
It is understood the trailers were left to burn out after Fire and Rescue Service determined it to be the safest option.
The truck was carrying ethanol, adhesives, aerosols and a number of other flammable and toxic chemicals.
The 56-year-old driver was uninjured.
Investigations are continuing into the cause of the fire.
