Quick work by Springwood firefighters stopped a potentially "catastrophic incident" this morning when a truck caught fire and ruptured both its fuel tanks at Faulconbridge.
Specialist hazmat workers from NSW Fire and Rescue only finished emptying the truck's fuel tanks about 3pm today (Friday) following the incident at 9.45am.
Inspector Josh Turner of NSW Fire and Rescue said quick work extinguishing the blaze by a Springwood NSW Fire and Rescue crew saved the ruptured fuel tanks from catching fire.
"Because of the ruptured tanks it could have been quite a catastrophic incident," he said.
Inspector Turner said the truck driver noticed smoke filling the cabin as he was travelling west on the Great Western Highway. By the time he pulled over and left the vehicle, flames were shooting out of the exhaust.
"The fire totally destroyed the cabin and ruptured both fuel tanks," said Inspector Turner.
A hazmat team from St Marys was called to empty the fuel tanks and remove the truck from the scene.
The incident caused major delays to westbound traffic on the Great Western Highway.
A NSW Fire and Rescue team from Glenbrook also attended the incident.
An electrical fault was the likely cause of the fire.
