A garbage truck on fire is causing chaotic scenes on one of Sydney\u2019s busiest roads.<\/p>\n
The M5 Motorway is closed in the westbound lane due to fire on a garbage truck, which has dumped its load. <\/p>\n
There are estimated delays of 90 minutes, with images from the scene showing rubbish from the truck well lit and plumes of black smoke filling the air.<\/p>\n
The incident at Milperra has caused traffic chaos, with scenes of gridlock between Hammondville and Beverly Hills, west of Sydney.<\/p>\n
It has sparked a major emergency service response, with Fire and Rescue NSW confirming it has eight fire engines and around 25 firefighters battling the pungent blaze.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust before 4pm today, FRNSW crews responded to a garbage truck fully alight on the M5 westbound near the Henry Lawson Dr exit,\u201d a post on the service\u2019s X account reads.<\/p>\n
\u201c8 trucks and about 25 firefighters working to extinguish the fire and contain run-off.\u201d <\/p>\n
Motorists travelling westbound out of Sydney is being urged to plot alternative routes, with traffic being diverted via Milperra Rd or the Hume Highway.<\/p>\n
One commuter said it has taken her two hours to travel just 20km and was still no where near home.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe M5 is a traffic park most days but this seriously takes the cake,\u201d the south West Sydney resident said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat a joke of a road system where one incident literally cripples the main thoroughfare to Sydney\u2019s south west.<\/p>\n
\u201cI left work with the sky blue and it is now pitch black\u201d.<\/p>\n
She added that thousands of cars remained at a standstill as of 6.45pm local time, as a large plume of grey smoke hung in the air.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe smoke is visible up to 1km away and the air is filled with a strong smell of fire,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n