A LONE rural fire fighter single-handedly extinguished a massive semi-trailer blaze that could be seen from kilometres away.

The fire fighter went to the aid of a truck driver who watched his road train explode in a ball of flames today after scrambling out of the vehicle in south-west Queensland.

media_camera A rural fire fighter volunteer puts out a road train that caught fire on the Moonie Highway. PIC: Peter Wallis

The truck with two trailers was heading west along the Moonie Highway between Dalby and Moonie, on its way to Goondiwindi.

media_camera A rural fire fighter volunteer puts out a road train that caught fire on the Moonie Highway. PIC: Peter Wallis

It appears the front right tyre exploded, forcing the driver to pull over - and then the cab caught alight.

media_camera A rural fire fighter volunteer puts out a road train that caught fire on the Moonie Highway. PIC: Peter Wallis

Flames licked eight metres high and a plume of black smoke could be seen from miles away.

media_camera A rural fire fighter volunteer puts out a road train that caught fire on the Moonie Highway. PIC: Peter Wallis

The incident forced travellers to pull over rather than skirt around it, fearful of fuel tanks exploding as the fire raged on.

The inferno was put out singlehandedly by a rural fire brigade officer who stunned onlookers with his bravery.

media_camera A rural fire fighter volunteer puts out a road train that caught fire on the Moonie Highway. PIC: Peter Wallis

Standing only metres from the blaze, the country firey even climbed onto the cab to douse the last of the flames.

Originally published as Solo fireman leaps into burning truck