BHP lends a helping hand as Norwest Crane Hire truck catches on fire in the Pilbara

The front of a truck carrying a crane went up in flames on a Pilbara highway next to BHP’s crown jewel WA iron ore mining operation. A Norwest Crane Hire vehicle travelling from Port Hedland to Hancock Prospecting’s Roy Hill mine caught fire last week at a rest stop near BHP’s Mining Area C. The West Australian understands BHP’s emergency response team mobilised to the stricken crane truck to help put out the fire after the Department of Fire and Emergency Services put in a call for assistance. No one was injured. A WorkSafe spokesman said the health and safety watchdog was aware of the incident. Norwest Crane Hire — a private business based in Port Hedland — did not respond to requests for comment. Norwest uses Liebherr and Terex cranes. Mining Area C is located 120 kilometres north-west of Newman and nine kilometres south of the Big Australian’s South Flank. Together the two operations form the world’s biggest iron ore mining hub, according to BHP.