Gas tanker on fire on N12 near the Comaro Road off-ramp, road closed

A gas tanker has caught fire on the N12 in southern Johannesburg, near the Comaro Road off-ramp, resulting in a complete shutdown of the highway in both directions.

Emergency services are on scene, with the area declared highly hazardous due to the risk of explosion.

Authorities say the closure could last several hours as firefighters work to contain the blaze and cool the tanker.

Johannesburg Metro Police Department spokesperson Xolani Fihla has urged motorists to avoid the area and use alternative routes.

“Motorists are urged to avoid the area entirely and follow the designated diversion points.”

The diversion points are:

* N12 Westbound (Heading toward Soweto): Traffic will be diverted at the R59 Reading Interchange.

* N12 Eastbound (Heading toward Alberton): Traffic will be diverted at Kliprivier Drive. To bypass the incident, consider using these alternative routes: 1. M1 North/South via the Booysens area. 2. R59 through Alberton. 3. Kliprivier Drive as a local bypass through the Southern Suburbs as alternative routes.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

19 APRIL 2026

GAS TANKER ON FIRE ON THE N12 COMARO ROAD: URGENT ROAD CLOSURE

The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) wishes to advise motorists of a major incident on the N12 Highway in the Bassonia area. A gas tanker has… pic.twitter.com/jjGF0hVHlq

— Jo’burg Metro Police Department – JMPD (@JoburgMPD) April 19, 2026

Meanwhile, EMS spokesperson Kagiso Phasha says that when their teams arrived at the scene, one person was trapped inside the light motor vehicle.

He adds: “Firefighting operations are ongoing to bring the fire under control to allow for safe extrication.”