Bus fire in Sydney tunnel

SYDNEY’S Easter long weekend had a chaotic start when a bus caught fire in a busy Lane Cove tunnel.

Heavy highway traffic also plagued motorists seeking to escape the city, with transport authorities urging people to plan ahead after multiple crashes on Good Friday.

All lanes of the Lane Cove Tunnel were closed in both directions late Thursday night after a commuter bus caught fire in the westbound tunnel about 8pm.

A video captured by a motorist shows thick smoke spewing into the tunnel.

On Friday, NSW Transport urged motorists travelling from Sydney on the M1 Pacific Motorway to beware of heavy traffic after two separate crashes at Cowan and Mooney Mooney.

Two of the northbound lanes were closed on the motorway at Mooney Mooney after a multi-car crash on the Hawkesbury River Bridge.

One of the three northbound lanes was also closed at Cowan after a three-car crash north of the Berowra on-ramp.