Car fire on Auckland Southern Motorway, traffic snarls as smoke billows across lanes

A car fire blocked lanes on Auckland’s Spaghetti Junction on the Southern Motorway this afternoon.

Smoke was seen billowing from a vehicle engulfed by flames in a southbound lane near Grafton.

Moe Salehi, from a nearby business, told the Herald he could smell something burning and thought it was something from inside the store.

“I just managed to come out and then when I came out, I saw the smoke. Then I realised what it was, the car was on fire on the motorway.”

Salehi said he had to close the store’s door because of how strong the smell was.

Police said emergency services responded to the blaze, reported at 1.09pm, just after the on-ramp from the port link.

No vehicle occupants were injured, a police spokesperson said.

NZTA said the motorway had been cleared but urged drivers to be patient as congestion eases.

FINAL UPDATE 2:15PM
SH1 Southern Mwy is now CLEAR following the earlier car fire. Please be patient as congestion eases. ^SG https://t.co/WSMBe8nh7r

— NZ Transport Agency - Auckland & Northland (@nztaaklnth) September 5, 2025

Traffic was backed up to the Harbour Bridge heading north, St Luke’s interchange on the Northwestern Motorway and back to Sylvia Park on the Southern Motorway heading north.

Traffic is backed up in three directions after the crash. Picture / Google maps

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