Ammonium nitrate truck explodes

"A truck transporting ammonium nitrate has exploded in South West Queensland, destroying bridges, sections of the road, and two firefighting trucks.

The vehicle was reportedly carrying more than 50 tonnes of AN when it rolled, just south of Charleville, late on Friday night, according to the ABC.

Ammonium nitrate is a key ingredient in creating explosives.

The truck initially caught fire, and had firefighters attempting to extinguish the blaze, when it exploded, injuring eight people.

Luckily the driver was pulled from the truck immediately after the initial roll over occurred, with no one being injured in the subsequent blast.

"As I understand the auxiliaries performed a snatch and grab (of the driver), they witnessed certain fire activities which gave the indication they needed to get out as soon as they could," chief superintendent for the south west region Lindsay Hackett explained, according to the Toowoomba Chronicle.

It is understood that the blast itself was caused after fuel leaked into the ammonium nitrate load.

“We've had a primary and a secondary explosion out there - it's quite a devastating scene," assistant fire commissioner for the south west region Tom Dawson told the ABC."

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