Homes have been evacuated and a 5km exclusion zone set up after the rollover of a truck carrying explosive chemicals in Queensland.
The Bruce Highway has been blocked in both directions at Bloomsbury, north of Mackay in Queensland, after the spillage of ammonium nitrate, a common fertiliser that can also explode in the wrong conditions.
A spokesperson for Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) confirmed an explosion was their number one concern.
Firefighters were called to the scene at about 11.30 am to report a truck had rolled over, the spokesperson said. They arrived to find the ammonium nitrate leaking onto the road.
Five QFES crews were initially dispatched, but two have since left. The spokesperson said crews were working on clearing up the spill.
Queensland police made an emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act and evacuated properties along Staffords Road, Campbells Road, Caping Road and O’Donnells Road.
Motorists have been urged to avoid the area or expect significant delays.
A spokesperson for the Queensland Ambulance Service said the male truck driver was not seriously injured in the crash.
In 2014, the explosion of a truck laden with ammonium nitrate south of Charleville in western Queensland blew a major road in half, wrecked a rail bridge and destroyed multiple vehicles.
The size of the explosion was estimated to be the equivalent of 10-15 tonnes of TNT.
Eight people were injured in the explosion.
