Recycling truck fire in Darwin forces evacuations

Amateur video has captured the moment a recycling truck caught fire at Karama, northeast of Darwin, causing the evacuation of a shopping centre car park.

The driver in her 30s noticed the smoke while travelling along McMillans Road and turned off to an area away from trees.

As the fire spread through the back of the truck, the mechanics became inoperable, jamming the back door shut.

Thick plumes of black smoke billowed from the truck while the driver called emergency services.

Firefighters arrived at the scene but required assistance from staff on forklifts to cut open the chamber to get to the blaze.

"It actually occurred in a compact area of the rubbish truck, which made it difficult to access," firefighter Aaron Perry said.

Traffic was diverted around Karama Shopping Centre as workers, shoppers and local residents watched on.

It is believed something inside a recycling collection sparked the blaze. Nobody was injured in the incident.

NT Recycling Solutions said the driver followed all procedures correctly. They will assess the damage done to the truck.