This dramatic footage shows firefighters dousing the flames that engulfed a flatbed lorry carrying several brand-new luxury SUVs after it suddenly caught fire on the road.
The lorry had been transporting the new Wenjie M9 cars from the factory where they were made when one of its tyres burst along the Shanghai–Chongqing Expressway in China on 21st April.
As its driver slammed the brakes, the intense friction sparked flames that quickly spread across the entire vehicle.
A video recorded by witnesses shows firefighters working to control the blaze as a thick column of smoke rises from the burning lorry.
Two of the new SUVs it was transporting appear to be partially consumed by the fire while the rest are invisible behind the white smoke.
No injuries have been reported.
A flatbed truck burns on the Shanghai–Chongqing Expressway, China, on 21 April, 2025. There were no casualties. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video(AsiaWire/NX)
Anji Automotive Logistics, responsible for the transport of the cars, later issued a statement saying: "At approximately 4 pm on 21st April 2025, a transport lorry operated by our supplier, Qiping Logistics, carrying commercial vehicles was involved in an accident on the Yichang section of the G50 Huyu Expressway.
"No casualties occurred.
"A preliminary on-site investigation by the relevant authorities confirmed that the incident was caused by a tyre explosion due to brake overheating on the semi-trailer, which led to a fire.
A flatbed truck burns on the Shanghai–Chongqing Expressway, China, on 21 April, 2025. There were no casualties. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video(AsiaWire/NX)
"The flames spread, damaging some of the vehicles. However, the battery packs of the vehicles did not catch fire.
"We sincerely apologise for the losses caused to the vehicle manufacturer and some customers as a result of this accident."
(Simona Kitanovska / newsX)