Quick-thinking staff evacuated a Gunalda service station after a flaming ute drove onto the site and parked dangerously close to fuel bowsers.
Authorities declared a PSA 1.42pm after the driver of south-bound ute towing a caravan was forced off the Bruce Highway and into the service station after the vehicle appeared to spontaneously catch on fire.
By 3pm the PSPA had been revoked, staff had returned to the main building, the service station had reopened and the completely burnt out ute was being taken away on the back of a tow truck.
Police thanked the community for their assistance.
While the ute was destroyed, and the caravan was initially reported to also be on fire, it appeared undamaged once the emergency was over.
The emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act was made at Gunalda’s United petrol station about 30km north of Gympie after police and emergency services were called there about 1.10pm.
Motorists and members of the public were advised to avoid the area and expect delays.
There is no further information at this time.
