The incident occurred on Wednesday, 10 May. The Voivodeship Road Transport Inspectorate in Wrocław reports:
The trailer of a vehicle combination, loaded with zinc oxide, caught fire on the 126th kilometre of the A4 motorway. The fire was probably caused by overheated trailer brakes, which consequently led to ignition and a tyre blowout.
Both the driver and witnesses to the incident attempted to put out the fire themselves. Without success. The inspectors: – Only the firefighters who arrived at the scene managed to extinguish the burning trailer.
The fire seriously damaged the packaging in which the hazardous goods were being transported, causing the goods to spill onto the roadway. WITD:
At the Police’s request, road transport inspectors checked whether the hazardous goods were being transported correctly. Examination of the transport document showed that the vehicle was carrying hazardous material classified under the ADR agreement as UN3077: environmentally hazardous substance, solid, n.o.s. (zinc oxide).
It adds:
As a result of the inspection, the inspectors identified two violations of the Act on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. The vehicle was not marked with orange-coloured plates indicating that hazardous materials were being transported. Furthermore, the driver did not hold ADR driver training valid on the date of the inspection. The previous qualification was valid until 11 September 2021.
It further states:
Explanatory proceedings have been initiated against the carrier, with a high administrative fine possible.