Petrol tanker catches fire near Mathoura

Mid-Murray Rural Fire Service Superintendent Tony Whitehorn said when Mathoura RFS arrived on the scene, firefighters found the tanker — which was carrying 11,000 litres of unleaded fuel and 25,000 of diesel — ablaze.

Mr Whitehorn said the tanker driver was out of the vehicle when crews arrived.

‘‘He was safe and unharmed,’’ he said.

Mr Whitehorn said it was quite a dangerous fire, with 36,000 litres of flammable liquid having the potential to explode and spread.

Both lanes of the highway were closed immediately, and were still yet to be opened at 3pm Thursday.