Backhoe Operator Prevents Major Traffic Chaos After Vehicle Catches Fire in Tenerife

A heavy machinery operator prevented a major traffic jam in the Tenerife metropolitan area this morning by acting quickly when his vehicle caught fire.

As reported by local media, the driver was alerted by other motorists that flames were coming from the engine of his backhoe. He managed to steer the machine off the main road connecting La Cuesta, Valle Tabares, and Los Campitos before the situation escalated.

The incident occurred near noon in La Laguna. Thanks to the driver’s quick thinking, he was able to move the vehicle to a paved secondary road near a ravine in Valle Jiménez, keeping the main road open. The driver was unharmed, and no one else was injured.

The backhoe, which belongs to a local excavation company, was being transported for maintenance work on dirt tracks. Firefighters from the Santa Cruz station arrived shortly after to extinguish the blaze, while local police secured the area.

This incident highlights the importance of strict safety and maintenance protocols for heavy machinery traveling on public roads. Because of their size and technical complexity, these vehicles require regular checks to prevent mechanical failures that can lead to fires. The operator’s prompt response was crucial in avoiding what could have been a significant disruption to one of the island’s busiest traffic routes.