Two truck fires cause traffic jams on A1 near Unna and A2 near Herten
Two major truck fires have disrupted traffic on German motorways this morning. A blaze on the A1 near Dortmund forced a temporary closure, while a separate incident on the A2 near Gelsenkirchen has shut the road completely. Authorities are working to clear the scenes, but delays are expected for hours.
The first fire broke out on the A1 between the Dortmund/Unna interchange and the Westhofen junction. A truck carrying paper caught alight on the hard shoulder, spreading flames that led to a full closure toward Cologne. Police confirmed a technical defect caused the blaze, which was later extinguished. One lane has since reopened, though recovery operations continue. The highway maintenance department is now checking the roadway for fire damage.
On the A2, a truck transporting baked goods burned completely near Gelsenkirchen-Buer. The fire scattered bread and rolls across the motorway, forcing a full closure between Gelsenkirchen-Buer and Herten toward Hanover. Cleanup efforts are underway, with traffic also affected on the opposite lane. Authorities warn the shutdown may last until midday.
Drivers face significant delays on both the A1 and A2 as crews work to clear debris and assess damage. The A2 remains fully closed, while the A1 has partially reopened after inspections. Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes where possible.
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