The vehicle was headed south just after 3pm, some 5km from the township, when the male driver noticed smoke coming from behind the cabin, Police Inspector John Sheehan said.

He was able to alight from the truck before it went up in flames and was not injured.

Firefighters worked hard to extinguish the blaze and were hindered by access to the contents. The truck was carrying Crisco hampers but the fibre glass composite material on the truck’s exterior was posing a problem, Goulburn station officer Darrell Law said.

Two NSW Fire and Rescue units from Goulburn and Bundanoon, comprising 12 personnel attended the scene. Four RFS brigades carrying another 12 personnel from Marulan, Tallong, Towrang and Parkesbourne were also on scene.  

Marulan brigade was first on scene with a line of hose. Goulburn and Bundanoon supplemented this with water and foam. Station officer Law said the amount of available water was initially a challenge.

“There was also a breeze blowing and that set off a small grass fire,” he said.

This burnt out about one acre in a paddock beside the southbound lane but RFS crews quickly had it under control. Marulan fire captain Jim Divall said rain on Sunday helped stop its spread.

Firefighters controlled the truck fire by shortly after 4pm but were contemplating removing the vehicle’s driver side panel to fully extinguish the outbreak.

The Roads and Maritime Service was advised of a minor diesel and oil spill from the truck and worked to render it safe.

Only a small section of one lane was affected and police directed traffic through the other lane.

Inspector John Sheehan said police were investigating the fire’s cause but speculated it could have been a mechanical fault.

Goulburn Fire Brigade was on its way home when it was called to a small garage fire in Caoura Place. Station Officer Law said the blaze was accidental and the owner extinguished it before the crew arrived. The Brigade checked for hot spots.