Workshop fire sparks Cairns peak hour traffic chaos
Richard Dinnen - Queensland Editor |
Pic: The early morning fire has closed one of the city’s main access roads (Queensland Police)
There is major disruption to morning peak hour traffic in Cairns after a fire forced the closure of the city’s main access road from the north.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services was called to a blaze in a workshop on the corner of Sheridan Street and Airport Avenue around 4.30 am.
Police closed Sheridan Street – the main access to the city from its northern suburbs – and a traffic jam several kilometres long quickly developed.
Morning commuters were turned back towards the only other access route from the north – the Western Arterial Road, where long delays are occurring.
The road closure also limited access to the Cairns airport during its busy early morning peak.
City-bound lanes have re-opened on Sheridan Street, but northbound lanes are likely to remain closed for some time.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
