A LORRY driver had a narrow escape yesterday in Co Wicklow when the cab of his truck was destroyed by fire.
The road at the Wicklow Gap had to be closed to traffic for a number of hours, with many tourists and day trippers in Dublin visiting the area in fine weather.
Pat O’Neill from Baltinglass was driving south towards Laragh/Glendalough when at the Wicklow Gap he spotted smoke seeping into the cab of the haulage company vehicle.
He jumped out of the cab, which almost immediately burst into flames.
The lorry is used for drawing timber and firefighters said that fortunately the vehicle was not loaded or the fire would have been even greater.
When Rathdrum firemen, who were alerted shortly after 7.30am, arrived at the scene, the cab was engulfed in flames.
The diesel tank, which was full of fuel, was ruptured as it exploded and fuelled the flames further.
Fire chief Brendan Mason said they had to use foam to tackle the fire and the firefighters had to use breathing apparatus. Some of the diesel seeped into a roadside drain and it was on fire as well.
“We had the fire under control in a short time but had to remain at the scene for a couple of hours to ensure that the fire was completely out. The cab of the lorry was completely gutted in the fire and some damage was also caused to the front of the trailer.”
County council workers used a mechanical digger to push the trailer of the lorry to the side of the road and this eventually enabled traffic to flow again.