District 22 commander Pete Dedman said the B-double truck was carting a load of packaged biscuits, heading Melbourne-bound on the Hume Fwy, when the driver noticed a fire, which is believed to be a result of an unknown mechanical issue, had consumed the rear tyres.
After pulling over just outside of Longwood, the driver attempted to extinguish the fire; however, it spread to the load, he said.
CFA crews received the first call at 3.36am.
Mr Dedman said the material of the packaged biscuits within the load meant that crews needed to remove the contents of the trailers to adequately extinguish the fire.
Eight tankers and two support vehicles from the CFA District 22 attended the scene, along with police, a recovery company, and representatives from Department of Transport and Planning contractor Downer.
No-one was injured, and the fire was contained to the two trailers and a small section of roadside grass, Mr Dedman said.
He said that it was thanks to the weather, and the crews on the scene, that the fire didn’t spread any further.
“It was great work by the crews to contain the fire,” he said.
“Good work by all to achieve a successful outcome.”
CFA vehicles left the scene at about 11.20am, which is around the time when the clean-up process began.
The Department of Transport Planning announced all Melbourne-bound lanes had been re-opened at 3.40pm.
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