A truck carrying batteries and 12,000 litres of oil and grease caught on fire at Peak Hill early Monday morning, closing the highway for several hours.
The truck was travelling north on the Newell Highway towards Peak Hill about 3am when its 32-year-old driver heard a tyre burst on a b-trailer as it entered the 80km/h speed zone, Parkes Police report.
The driver discovered a small fire in the same area.
"The driver stopped and attempted to use a fire extinguisher on the flames. This was unsuccessful so the driver disconnected the prime mover and moved it away," said Officer in Charge at Parkes Police Chief Inspector Scott Rayner.
Both lanes of the highway were closed as the blaze continued, forcing traffic to be diverted until the scene was cleared.
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Crews from Fire and Rescue NSW extinguished the fire, while Hazmat and EPA teams attended to render the area safe due to the cargo.
Chief Inspector Rayner said no one was injured in the incident.
The Newell Highway at Peak Hill reopened to traffic in both directions at 1.20pm.
MAN FOUND SAFE AFTER LAND SEARCH
A 57-year-old man who went missing in the Cookamidgera area on Friday evening has been found suffering dehydration but otherwise safe.
Police appealed to the public for assistance to find the man after he was last seen at Cookamidgera the day before.
When he could not be located or contacted, officers attached to the Central West Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.
Along with the assistance of Police Rescue and the State Emergency Services, police conducted a land search in the Cookamidgera area and found the man.
REMINDER TO LOCK YOUR VEHICLES
Unfortunately over the weekend police received a number of reports of stealings from motor vehicles in the Parkes area.
Police said a number of these vehicles were believed to be left unlocked.
The Central West Police District want to remind the community and visitors to the town to lock their vehicles at all times, particularly overnight.
"Thefts are opportunistic," police said.
"Always lock your vehicle, remove valuables and take keys and/or garage remotes out of the vehicle."
