Saint-Bonnet-de-Mure, July 9 – A truck fire on the A43 motorway on Thursday afternoon, around 4:35 PM, near the commune of Saint-Bonnet-de-Mure, approximately 20 kilometers east of Lyon, caused significant traffic disruptions. The incident resulted in several kilometers of traffic jams.
Emergency Response to the Blaze
The fire, the cause of which is still undetermined, started in a heavy goods vehicle. The driver managed to pull over to the emergency lane, but the fire quickly spread to the surrounding vegetation.
Firefighters were promptly dispatched to the scene to extinguish the blaze. To ensure the safety of the intervention area, several lanes of the motorway were closed to traffic. The operation was still ongoing shortly before 6:00 PM.
Traffic Chaos on a Busy Section of the A43
According to Radio Scoop, the incident had a substantial impact on this frequently used section of the eastern Lyon area. By 5:00 PM, traffic jams stretching over three kilometers were reported.
The closure of multiple lanes was necessary to allow firefighters to operate effectively and to contain the fire, which had spread beyond the vehicle itself. Motorists were advised to seek alternative routes or expect significant delays.
Ongoing Investigation into the Cause
Authorities have not yet released information regarding the cause of the fire. An investigation is expected to be launched to determine how the blaze started. No injuries have been reported in connection with the incident.
The A43 motorway is a vital artery for traffic in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, connecting Lyon to Chambéry and further to the Alps. Disruptions on this route can have widespread effects on regional transport.
Local police and road management services were on site to manage traffic flow and ensure public safety. Drivers were urged to exercise caution and follow instructions from emergency personnel.
The full extent of the damage to the truck and the surrounding area is yet to be assessed, but the primary focus of the emergency services was on bringing the fire under complete control and reopening the affected lanes as soon as it was safe to do so.
Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses and the clean-up operations are completed.
