Kazakh Truck Fire on Xinjiang Highway, Cargo Saved

Summary: A Kazakhstan-registered cargo truck caught fire on the G30 Expressway in Xinjiang. Firefighters extinguished the blaze in 90 minutes, preventing an estimated 500,000 yuan loss. No injuries were reported.

Source: OT-Team(G), 新疆消防

A foreign driver's vehicle suddenly caught fire on the highway, threatening ¥500,000 in cargo.

On January 23, 2026, the command center of the Bozhou Fire and Rescue Detachment in Xinjiang received an emergency call reporting a truck fire on the G30 Lianhuo Expressway. The incident occurred at the 4,106-kilometer mark in the direction from Urumqi to Yili, within the jurisdiction of Bole City. The vehicle involved was a Kazakhstan-registered cargo truck. No one was trapped inside.

Upon receiving the alert, the command center immediately dispatched firefighters from the Sailimu Lake Road Fire and Rescue Station in Bole City to the scene. When crews arrived, they conducted an on-site assessment and spoke with witnesses. Preliminary findings indicated that the fire had originated in the truck's engine compartment and was already spreading toward the cargo box. The truck was carrying general consumer goods, with no hazardous or dangerous materials on board.

Recognizing the risk of the fire escalating, the on-site commander swiftly organized operations. Firefighters set up traffic control measures to secure the roadway while fire engines began supplying water to suppress the flames at the source. Using a motorless cutting saw, crews cut open the top of the cargo box to access hidden hotspots, allowing them to fully extinguish remaining flames and cool the vehicle.

After approximately 90 minutes of sustained firefighting efforts, the blaze was brought under control and fully extinguished.

According to the truck driver, the total weight of the cargo was about 90 metric tons. Thanks to the timely and effective response, no injuries were reported, and economic losses estimated at around 500,000 yuan were avoided.

Fire authorities took the opportunity to remind drivers to prioritize safety by ensuring their vehicles are properly inspected and well maintained before every journey, warning that even minor mechanical issues can quickly turn into serious hazards on the road.