Chemical ‘inferno’ on trailer

The alternative State Highway 1 between Christchurch and Picton was closed for nearly seven hours after a truck and trailer carrying chemicals burst into flames yesterday.

Police said the trailer erupted into an ‘‘inferno’’ on SH7, 2 kilometres north of Engineers Camp, in the Lewis Pass, shortly after 8am.

The driver was able to disconnect the truck from the trailer and drive away.

The fire was initially too dangerous for firefighters to battle. It was unclear what chemicals the truck was carrying.

A 3km exclusion zone was put in place and aircraft were not allowed to fly in the area. Nearby Boyle Village was evacuated.

Firefighters eventually brought the blaze under control and the road reopened about 2.30pm.

The burnt shell of the trailer remained on the side of the highway an hour later. Neither police nor fire would say what chemicals the truck was carrying.

Engineers Camp resident Grant Nossiter said he and ‘‘a couple of village people’’ were given about 30 minutes to leave their properties after the blaze began.

‘‘About 10 minutes before we left you could feel a strange burning smell on your tongue.’’

Power was out in the area and an emergency cell tower was installed, Nossiter said.

Boyle River Outdoor Education Centre manager Nick Chapman said police evacuated four staff as a ‘‘precautionary measure’’.

The route through the Lewis Pass became the main highway connecting Christchurch and Picton after the November earthquake badly damaged the coastal State Highway 1.

Snow forced the closure of the inland road several times this week.