Truck fire on the A2: full closure until at least tomorrow night!

Truck fire on the A2: full closure until at least tomorrow night!

Today, July 2, 2025, at around 1:30 p.m. on the A2 motorway in the direction of Hanover, near Peine, a significant incident occurred - a hazardous goods truck caught fire due to a punctured tire. The police informed the public via their WhatsApp channel, which quickly led to a complete closure of the highway. Road users were redirected at the Peine-Ost exit because the bridge at the junction also had to be closed due to the dangerous goods being loaded.

Fortunately, no one was injured, but the firefighting and rescue work is expected to last until the evening hours. The fire department took care of the vehicles that were in the backlog and provided drinks. In later updates it was reported that the bridge over the motorway is now passable again, but the Peine-Ost junction and parts of the A2 remain closed.

Damage and traffic management

As the police announced, massive damage was found to the roadway and the noise barrier, which will lead to a further closure of the A2 until at least the following night. Officials recommend using the routes via the A39 and A7 to avoid the traffic jam. A Braunschweig-Watenbüttel exit is recommended for road users coming from the east.

Fires in trucks can be observed again and again on motorways, and the current situation is no exception. Technical defects such as overheating brakes or defective tires have reportedly increased in recent years, leading to an increasing number of truck fires. In addition, improper loading, especially when flammable substances are incorrectly secured, is a danger that should not be underestimated, as has been reported in other cases of fire incidents on the motorway, for example NDR reported.

Challenges for the fire department

Fire departments face complex challenges in such operations. Since trucks have to travel long distances and transport dangerous goods, they run the risk of quickly catching fire. Quick intervention by the fire brigade is crucial to prevent the flames from spreading. In a similar incident on the A2 near Garbsen in the past, it was found that the fire in a container could not be brought under control despite the driver's immediate attempt to fight it with a fire extinguisher, which points to the complexity of such operations Fireworld explained.

In order to prevent such situations, regular truck maintenance is required by law, but is often not complied with. It is essential that both drivers and transport companies have the skills to identify and eliminate hazards early so that these tragic incidents do not become the norm.

Developments surrounding today's incident will continue to be monitored and we will keep our readers updated on any changes. Stay safe on the roads!