Sydney Harbour Tunnel Reopens After Car Fire Disrupts Morning Commute

SYDNEY - The Sydney Harbour Tunnel reopened after a car fire closed both directions during the Wednesday morning peak, according to reporting that cited emergency services and Live Traffic NSW.

Sydney Dispatch reported that the fire began about 8:04 a.m. on the southbound side. Fire and Rescue NSW said the tunnel's sprinkler system activated as crews responded. NSW Ambulance said a 19-year-old driver was treated for smoke inhalation and taken to Royal North Shore Hospital.

The report said five fire trucks were sent to the incident. It also said no other people or vehicles were involved and that the burning car was removed after the fire was put out.

Traffic disruption and reopening

Live Traffic NSW confirmed the closure while emergency crews worked. The northbound tunnel reopened at about 9:20 a.m., followed by the southbound side at roughly 9:45 a.m., according to the report. All lanes had reopened shortly after 10 a.m., though delays continued while traffic cleared.

The available reporting does not state what caused the vehicle to catch fire. This article therefore does not speculate about the mechanical condition of the car or the driver.

The reopening timeline reflects the source report and may not match later traffic conditions. No official cause of the fire was reported.

What is confirmed

The timing, closure, response, treatment and reopening are attributed to the named agencies in the source report. Motorists should use Live Traffic NSW for current route information rather than relying on a historical report after an incident has ended.

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