A7 reopens after truck fire - Hazardous chemical truck fire shuts down Germany’s A7 motorway for hours
A truck carrying corrosive chemicals caught fire on the A7 motorway near Hedemünden on Wednesday evening. The incident triggered a large-scale emergency response and brought traffic to a standstill for hours. Authorities confirmed the driver escaped without injury, but the blaze caused major disruptions on one of Germany’s busiest routes.
The fire broke out in a lorry transporting hazardous acidic chemicals. Fire crews quickly arrived to tackle the flames, but the situation required careful handling due to the cargo’s nature. By Thursday, specialists had safely transferred the partially damaged chemicals, and the recovery operation wrapped up by late afternoon.
The entire A7 remained fully closed until around 10:18 p.m. on Thursday, causing severe congestion. Two lanes between the Hedemünden interchange and Drammetal motorway triangle toward Hanover have since reopened. However, the main carriageway stays shut for ongoing cleanup work.
The damaged trailer was removed from the scene, and investigators confirmed no further risk to the public. The company responsible for the freight transport has not been named.
Traffic delays persisted for over 24 hours, with only partial lanes now accessible. Cleanup efforts continue, and the main lane remains closed until further notice. Authorities have ruled out any lingering danger from the hazardous materials involved.
