Lyttelton Tunnel reopened after vehicle exhaust fire
Wednesday 16 September 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated In this story Fire and Emergency New Zealand, NZ Transport Agency
The Lyttelton Tunnel in Christchurch was closed in both directions on Wednesday after a truck's exhaust caught fire. Emergency services from Lyttelton and Woolston responded to the incident shortly before 1.30pm. The tunnel has since reopened to traffic.
Key facts
4 facts
- The Lyttelton Tunnel fire occurred on Wednesday, 16 September 2026
- The incident was reported to emergency services just before 1.30pm
- The fire was extinguished by tunnel control before crews arrived
- The tunnel was closed in both directions during the incident
The full story
1 min read · 2 outlets
The Lyttelton Tunnel in Christchurch has reopened after a vehicle exhaust caught fire. The incident occurred on Wednesday, 16 September 2026.
Emergency services received a call regarding the blaze from tunnel control shortly before 1.30pm. Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews from Lyttelton and Woolston responded to the scene.
The fire was extinguished by tunnel control before fire crews arrived at the location. Fire and Emergency NZ shift manager Ange Munro stated, “We just carried out some scene safety”.
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi had previously advised motorists to delay their journeys while the tunnel was closed in both directions.
Where reports differ
- One report describes the incident as a truck on fire, while another identifies it as a vehicle exhaust blaze
Compiled from reports by The Press and NZ Herald.