Cocoa‑bean truck fire blocks A1 near Hamburg

A truck carrying cocoa beans caught fire around 09:00 on the A1 motorway at the Maschener Kreuz near Hamburg, causing a full‑lane blaze and dense smoke. The incident halted traffic for several hours and led to extensive damage to the carriageway and hard shoulder.

The Autobahn authority announced that one lane in each direction will remain open, with traffic directed onto the remaining lane until Saturday evening. Repairs to the damaged pavement are weather‑dependent and may be delayed. The cause of the fire has not been determined.