A truck carrying toilet paper - a supermarket item that has triggered panic buying over coronavirus fears - caught fire in Brisbane last night.

The driver escaped uninjured when the B-double vehicle caught ablaze on the city's Gateway Bridge.

Firefighters were alerted at 9.40pm and two crews attended the scene.

Firefighters extinguish the blazing truck on Brisbane's Gateway Bridge last night. (Nine)

The blaze was concentrated in the front part of the container and crews wore breathing apparatus to remove the toilet paper and douse the fire.

The incident caused major traffic delays on the Gateway Bridge until it was brought under control.

Fears over the coronavirus becoming a pandemic have seen shelves empty in some Woolworths, Coles and Aldi stores where toilet paper, rice, bottled water and pasta are usually stocked.

Woolworths yesterday said it will be limiting the number of toilet paper packs to four per person.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has urged people to take a common sense approach when buying essentials.

He's consulted supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths about the virus' impact on supply chains and consumer behaviour.

READ MORE: How to prepare for a coronavirus pandemic

An empty aisle in this Woolworths store in Sydney, after mass buying of toilet paper stripped it bare. (Facebook)

Kimberly-Clark, which manufactures toilet paper, is opening up its manufacturing lines in South Australia to deal with shortages.

Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles has also urged caution, telling people the Red Cross can supply toilet paper if the coronavirus outbreak worsens.