A passing lorry driver jumped into action to help a fellow trucker after his vehicle burst into flames on the M18 in Co Clare this morning.
An articulated lorry was travelling southbound on the motorway at Ballynacragga between junction 11 (Dromoland) and junction 10 (Newmarket on Fergus) at Ballynacragga when the driver realised the cab of his vehicle was on fire.
The driver managed to pull his vehicle into the hard shoulder and bring it to a safe stop. The driver, who was unharmed, then raised the alarm. The incident occurred at around 7.15am.
Units of Clare County Fire and Rescue Service from Shannon and Ennis stations responded to the incident along with GardaÃ.
While waiting for fire crews to arrive, a passing truck stopped to assist. That vehicle, operated by a local drain cleaning company, was carrying water and a hose which the truck operator used to bring the fire under control before continuing on his journey.
On arrival at the scene, fire crews found that the fire had been extinguished but on further inspection established that the trucks batteries had reached a high temperature. Firefighters sprayed the area with water to make it safe.
The motorway did not need to be closed and traffic flow was safely maintained however there were long tailbacks.
Fire crews left the scene at around 8.45am while Gardaà and Traffic Infrastructure Ireland motorway personnel remained in attendance until the truck could be safely removed from the scene.
The scene has since been cleared.
