A burning truck on the E45 motorway near Kolding caused major traffic chaos early Monday morning, with up to 15 kilometers of queues during rush hour. The motorway was briefly closed completely as firefighters battled flames and cleared tire debris from all three lanes.
Major Motorway Disruption Near Kolding
A truck fire on the E45/E20 motorway near Kolding created unusually severe traffic problems during Monday morning rush hour. The incident forced a complete closure of the northbound lanes between exit 62 Kolding East and the Kolding West motorway junction. At its worst, the congestion stretched up to 15 kilometers back from the scene.
Emergency services received the first reports around 6 AM. The truck was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. Fortunately, the driver managed to escape without injury. Nikolaj Dahl Jensen, operations leader at Trekantbrand, described finding a truck completely overtaken by flames when crews reached the location.
The situation became more complicated when one of the truck’s tires exploded. Tire debris scattered across all three lanes of the motorway. This forced authorities to close the entire road temporarily while emergency workers cleared the wreckage and made the area safe for traffic to resume.
Extended Cleanup and Gradual Reopening
The truck was carrying grain and animal feed, which caught fire and added to the firefighting challenge. The cargo continued burning even as crews worked to extinguish the main blaze. A large smoke column rose from the scene, significantly reducing visibility on the motorway for a period. However, the smoke cleared relatively quickly according to the fire service operations leader.
Firefighters expected to work at the scene for approximately one hour from 7:07 AM. The combination of the burning cargo and scattered debris required careful handling. Emergency crews had to ensure all fire was completely extinguished and the roadway was safe before allowing normal traffic flow to resume.
Traffic Gradually Returns to Normal
One lane reopened later in the morning with a pilot vehicle guiding traffic past the accident site. The Vejdirektoratet confirmed that drivers should expect extended travel times between Kolding West and the Kolding West motorway junction. Cleanup operations continued through Monday morning, with authorities working to fully clear the emergency lane where the truck had caught fire.
The timing of the incident created particularly severe disruption. Morning rush hour traffic combined with the complete road closure led to massive backups. Drivers faced significant delays as they attempted to navigate around or wait through the congestion. The situation gradually improved as lanes reopened, though traffic continued to move slowly through the area.
Weather Compounds Traffic Problems
The truck fire coincided with challenging weather conditions across the region. Vejdirektoratet reported snow and icy road conditions in the area, adding another layer of difficulty for drivers. The combination of the accident, cleanup operations, and slippery roads created an especially problematic situation for morning commuters and freight transport.
The E45 Sønderjyske Motorway serves as a critical connection between Kolding, Vejle, and Fredericia. Any major disruption on this route affects both local and long distance traffic. The northbound closure forced many drivers to seek alternative routes or accept substantial delays to their journeys.
No Injuries Despite Intense Fire
Despite the intensity of the fire and the complete destruction of the vehicle, no injuries occurred in the incident. The truck driver managed to exit the vehicle before flames fully engulfed it. This fortunate outcome prevented what could have been a tragic situation from becoming worse.
Emergency responders from Sydøstjyllands Politi coordinated the response alongside Trekantbrand firefighters. Police managed traffic control while firefighters focused on extinguishing the blaze and preventing it from spreading. The coordinated response helped minimize the duration of the complete road closure.
Cause Remains Unknown
Authorities have not released information about what caused the truck to catch fire. No details about the vehicle’s owner or its specific cargo beyond grain and animal feed have been made public. The investigation into the cause will likely continue as cleanup operations conclude.
The absence of injuries and the relatively quick response from emergency services helped prevent an even worse situation. The truck fire joins a long list of incidents that periodically disrupt traffic on Denmark’s busy motorway network. Such events highlight the vulnerability of major transport routes to unexpected emergencies and the importance of coordinated emergency response.
Authorities expected all lanes to fully reopen by mid morning as cleanup work concluded. The incident served as a reminder of how quickly traffic situations can deteriorate on major motorways and the cascading effects a single vehicle fire can have during peak travel times.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Traffic in Denmark: Expect Busy Roads During Fall Break
The Danish Dream: Best Car Insurance in Denmark for Foreigners
DR: Brændende lastbil skabte usædvanligt stort kø-kaos på motorvej
Politiken: Lastbil i brand lukker Sønderjyske Motorvej
Avisen.nu: Politiet: Arbejdet fortsætter ved lastbilbrand på motorvejen
FRDB: Lastbil i brand – kraftig røgudvikling på motorvej
JV: Lastbil i brand – kraftig røgudvikling på motorvej
Avisen.dk: Lastbil i brand lukker Sønderjyske Motorvej
