Perth Traffic: Car Catches Fire, Clogs Up Mitchell Freeway, Crash Creates Heavy Traffic on Kwinana Freeway

Perth drivers faced major delays after a chaotic morning on the roads, as a car fire on the Mitchell Freeway and a separate crash on the Kwinana Freeway brought peak-hour traffic to a standstill. What should have been a routine commute quickly turned into a frustrating ordeal for thousands of motorists trying to make their way into the city.

Mitchell Freeway Brought to a Halt by Car Fire

The first incident occurred on the northbound lanes of the Mitchell Freeway, where a vehicle suddenly caught fire just after sunrise. Witnesses reported seeing thick black smoke rising into the air as flames engulfed the front of the car. Drivers quickly pulled over, and emergency services rushed to the scene.

Firefighters worked rapidly to extinguish the blaze, but not before traffic slowed to a crawl. Several lanes were temporarily closed, forcing cars to merge into a narrow corridor. The sudden bottleneck caused long queues stretching several kilometres, with some drivers reporting delays of up to 45 minutes.

Thankfully, no serious injuries were reported, but the damaged vehicle remained on the side of the road for some time, continuing to obstruct traffic flow.
Kwinana Freeway Crash Adds to the Morning Chaos

Just as congestion began to ease on the Mitchell Freeway, another major incident unfolded — this time on the Kwinana Freeway. A multi-vehicle crash in the southbound lanes caused substantial delays for commuters heading toward the CBD.

Details of the crash are still emerging, but early reports suggest that three vehicles were involved, leaving debris scattered across the road and at least one lane blocked. Police and tow trucks arrived promptly, but the sheer volume of traffic meant that the disruption quickly spread, affecting nearby on-ramps and causing gridlock through several connecting routes.

Commuters described the situation as “bumper-to-bumper” and “barely moving,” with some choosing to exit early and reroute through local streets — many of which became congested as a result.
Morning Peak Turned into a Standstill

Between the car fire on the Mitchell Freeway and the crash on the Kwinana Freeway, Perth’s two major road corridors experienced some of their worst delays in recent weeks. Social media was filled with posts from frustrated drivers sharing photos of long queues and warning others to avoid the area.

Transport authorities advised motorists to plan for extra travel time, use alternative routes where possible, and remain patient as crews worked to clear both incidents.
Emergency Services Praise Driver Cooperation

Despite the delays, emergency workers praised drivers for keeping calm, moving aside for emergency vehicles, and avoiding risky behaviour while stuck in queues. Fire crews also reminded drivers to regularly check their vehicles for overheating or mechanical faults — especially during warmer days when car fires are more common.
Conclusion

The combination of a vehicle fire on the Mitchell Freeway and a collision on the Kwinana Freeway created a perfect storm of traffic chaos across Perth. While the morning commute turned into a major headache for thousands, fast responses from emergency services prevented further escalation. As the city continues to grow, incidents like these highlight the need for patience, awareness, and improved traffic management during peak hours.