Emergency crews have responded to a vehicle fire that spread into nearby vegetation in South Trees, a suburb of Gladstone in central Queensland, on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

Queensland Fire Department crews were called to Wuttke Road at South Trees at approximately 12.20pm after reports of a vehicle fire. Firefighters arrived at the scene around 12.30pm and found that the blaze had spread from the vehicle into surrounding grass.

Five fire crews were working at the location to contain the fire and prevent the vegetation blaze from spreading further. The incident occurred in an area containing roadside vegetation, meaning firefighters needed to work quickly to establish control lines and stop the fire from extending into a larger area.

The vehicle had reportedly come to rest off the road. Queensland Police were also involved in managing the scene and assisting emergency services while firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze.

Queensland Ambulance Service attended the incident after one person suffered a minor burn to the hand. The injury was described as minor, and there was no immediate indication of any other serious injuries associated with the fire.

The cause of the vehicle fire had not been established at the time of the latest report. Investigators may examine the vehicle and surrounding area to determine how the fire began.

Vehicle fires can spread rapidly when they occur close to dry grass or other vegetation, particularly during periods of warm or dry weather. Firefighters therefore respond quickly to incidents where flames from a burning vehicle have the potential to ignite surrounding vegetation.

Residents and motorists travelling around Wuttke Road may experience some disruption while emergency crews remain at the scene. People in the area are advised to give emergency vehicles plenty of space and follow directions from police and firefighters.

The incident is being managed as an active emergency response, with crews working to ensure the grass fire is contained and the immediate area remains safe. Further information about the extent of the vegetation affected and the cause of the vehicle fire may become available after firefighters complete their work.

South Trees is located within the Gladstone urban area and includes industrial, residential and transport-related infrastructure. Fires in the area can require rapid emergency responses because of the combination of roads, industrial facilities and surrounding vegetation.

The incident is separate from the Rockhampton crash also reported on the same afternoon. Emergency services were called to that separate incident after a car collided with a stationary truck at the intersection of Capricorn Highway and Old Gracemere Road in Fairy Bower. One woman was assessed for minor injuries in that crash.

For the Gladstone incident, authorities have not reported any significant property damage beyond the vehicle and nearby vegetation at the time of the latest update.

The report was published on 30 September 2026, making it a today-only story. It has not been used in the previous news items in this conversation.