In a dramatic late-night incident at a west Cairns petrol station, a light commercial vehicle crashed into a petrol bowser and burst into flames. The incident occurred on Friday shortly before midnight, when a white van failed to negotiate a bend and careened into the Shell Coles Express servo while turning right onto Pease St Manoora.
The impact of the vehicle hitting the bowser caused the fuel to ignite, resulting in a blaze that completely destroyed the van. According to Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, triple-0 callers reported hearing an explosion and seeing the van engulfed in flames at 11pm. The driver was out of the vehicle, and the fire was spreading, with reports indicating an explosion was heard.
Fire crews arrived on the scene at 11.05pm and had the fire extinguished by 11.20. Fortunately, no one was hurt, and the Queensland Ambulance Service treated a few patients at the scene. The Coles Express convenience store was open the next day, but petrol pump access was restricted by police incident tape.
Although it is unclear if the van was stolen or if any charges will be laid in relation to the incident, a police spokeswoman confirmed that the white van was not stolen. According to initial reports, at approximately 10.45pm, a van was turning right into Pease St from Reservoir Rd when it collided with another vehicle before hitting a service station petrol bowser. The driver of the van, a 31-year-old Cooktown man, was taken to the hospital.
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