Burnt chemical tanker cleared from M1

It is a miracle no one was harmed when a tanker hauling 15,000 litres of hydrochloric acid exploded on Queensland's M1 Motorway, erupted into fire and caused major traffic jams, emergency services said.

The charred wreckage of the chemical truck was cleared from the motorway this evening but it will be some time before conditions return to normal.

Traffic is slowly starting to flow again with two southbound lanes having been reopened.

One remains closed due to damaged sustained in the fire.

"Delays are expected for some time with heavy traffic on the motorway," police said.

It is expected the southbound lane will be reopened tomorrow after crews resurface the road overnight.

All northbound lanes have been reopened.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Service Inspector Jed Crosby has praised the actions of the driver, who swiftly exited the motorway after noticing the fire beneath the tanker.

He then called emergency services and warned other motorists away from the area.

While he was treated for smoke inhalation, the driver suffered no serious harm.

"I believe it is a miracle he has escaped without any injuries," Inspector Crosby said.

When the tanker caught fire on the motorway at Loganholme about 8.30am today, thick black smoke wafted through surrounding areas .

A local said he heard loud "bangs" that shook the windows in his house.

A one-kilometre-wide exclusion zone was established but was revoked on Friday evening.

The owner of the truck Coogee Chemicals, had sent incident response team to assist emergency services and said it was "relieved" no-one was injured.

The cause of the fire remains unclear and the tanker has been returned to a holding yard where it will undergo a forensic investigation.