A serious incident was narrowly avoided on Tuesday evening when a freight truck traveling from Walvis Bay to Windhoek caught fire near the Swakopmund roadblock area along the B2 highway. The driver, a 28-year-old man, managed to stop the vehicle and escape without injury.
According to the Erongo Community Policing Sub-division, the fire occurred at approximately 17:00. Warrant Officer Tuyenikelao Tashiya-Fernando confirmed that the driver had noticed a burning smell, suspected to be from the truck’s electrical components, shortly before the vehicle began to malfunction.
“The driver reported that the brakes were unresponsive, forcing him to rely on the handbrake to bring the truck to a halt,” said Tashiya-Fernando. Upon exiting the vehicle, the driver observed visible flames and smoke emanating from the front section of the truck.
Emergency services were alerted immediately. The Swakopmund Fire Brigade arrived swiftly on the scene and successfully extinguished the fire before it could consume the entire vehicle. The quick response prevented further damage or potential harm to other road users.
While the driver escaped physical harm, parts of the truck sustained fire damage. Authorities have launched an investigation into the exact cause of the fire, though initial assessments point to an electrical fault.
The Namibian Police have urged all transport operators and drivers to carry out regular vehicle maintenance checks, especially on long-distance routes, to reduce the risk of similar incidents. The B2 remains one of Namibia’s busiest highways, linking coastal and inland economic hubs, and ensuring road safety continues to be a priority.
