UPDATED 11.25am: A truck driver has had a lucky escape after the cab of his truck and trailer unit went up in flames on State Highway 33, south of Paengaroa this morning.

The truck unit, carrying fertiliser, caught alight on the roadside north of Sun Valley Station, between Paengaroa and Rotorua at about 9.45am.

The truck was "well involved" when fire services arrived on the scene. Photos: Bruce Barnard.

Maketu Fire Brigade station officer Shane Gourlay says the truck's cab was 'well involved” on the road side when firefighters from Maketu and Te Puke arrived on the scene.

'It was well involved but contained to the cab,” says Shane. 'The top of the truck canopy was burnt.”

Working quickly, they managed to contain the fire to the cab in about five-to-eight minutes.

The driver was out of the truck when they arrived.

As a safety precaution, the HAZMAT unit from Greerton was also called.

Traffic was directed slowly past the area while firefighters and police dealt with the incident.

Earlier:

A truck and trailer unit is on fire on State Highway 33 south of Paengaroa this morning.

Northern Fire communications shift manager Steve Smith says the truck is ablaze on the roadside north of Sun Valley Station, between Paengaroa and Rotorua.

Firefighters from Maketu and Greerton are currently responding.

It is understood the truck caught fire at about 9.30am.

SunLive will have more information as it becomes available.