THE A303 has now reopened after a hay fire caused delays on the A303 and closed a 10 mile stretch of the road.
Emergency services were caled after a lorry carrying 12 tonnes of hay went up in flames on the South Somerset stretch.
Hay Lorry Fire on A303 Marsh Somerset - road closure in place whilst crews tackle fire involving 6 tonnes of hay.
— Devon&Somerset Fire (@DSFireUpdates) April 25, 2019
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service were first called to the scene shortly after 1pm today (April 25).
A lorry was found to be well alight on the A303 near Marsh.
A303 Marsh - update... contraflow in place past the scene of a large lorry fire. Continuing delays whilst the road is cleared and fire is extinguished. Please follow diversions#T84E 7575 pic.twitter.com/ktHyLUYWDL
— Alliance RPT 📱+🚗=❌ (@RoadPolAlliance) April 25, 2019
Two fire engines and a water carrier were rushed to the scene.
A fire service spokesman said: "Crews set about extinguishing the fire involving six tonnes of hay on main vehicle, with a trailer carrying a further six tonnes being detached to prevent fire spread.
"Police were required for full road closure.
"Crews requested additional crews and another Water Carrier to assist with firefighting. Crews were at work with a farmers telehandler removing hay to prevent fire spread. Compressed Air Foam was also in use to extinguish the fire."
A303 Marsh currently closed both directions. #7575 pic.twitter.com/W4wHtToxv3
— Alliance RPT 📱+🚗=❌ (@RoadPolAlliance) April 25, 2019
Highways England was forced to shut the road all the way from the A358 Southfields roundabout to the junction with the A30 near Yarcombe - a 10 mile stretch.
There was a diversion route in place and motorists were advised to exit the A303, head south to Chard and at the A30 turn right onto the A30 travelling west to rejoin the A303.
#A303 #Devon #Ilminster is now CLOSED westbound due to this incident, eastbound traffic released. For further info including the diversion pls click here: https://t.co/mOEpn5bU9X, plan ahead if travelling between #SouthPetherton and the #M5.https://t.co/kmZybVkOuV
— Highways England (@HighwaysSWEST) April 25, 2019
Highways England said there was damage to the road surface and a road sweeper was asked to assist with carriageway clean-up.
Firefighters also remained at the scene to ensure the fire does not reginite and the road was reopened at around 9.10pm.
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