A LORRY was destroyed, and a stretch of the A303 in Somerset was left significantly damaged after a major fire broke out earlier this week.
The blaze, involving a hay-laden lorry which caught fire, broke out on the A303, forcing a closure between the A358 at Horton Cross and the A30 at Upottery.
The closure, which came into effect on Monday night, remains in place as of midday today (Wednesday, August 19), with National Highways carrying out emergency repairs on the carriageway.
It is hoped that the road could reopen later this afternoon.
According to emergency services, the fire spread to the nearby grass verge and caused damage to both the road surface and a crash barrier, leading to multiple fire crews being called to tackle the blaze from 13 different stations, including Chard, Ilminster and Taunton.
Fire crews used six breathing apparatus, two hose reel jets and one 45ml jet to extinguish the flames.
The cause was confirmed to have been accidental, a fire service spokesman said.
The spokesman for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: "The lorry was totally destroyed, and the road surface and a crash barrier were damaged by fire, together with a 12m stretch of grass verge.
"Accidental cause."
The road has remained closed over the last two days while emergency services and National Highways officers responded.
The closure led to a protracted clear-up and recovery operation by National Highways.
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A spokesman for National Highways South West said: "Contractors are currently on site to resurface the fire-damaged section of westbound carriageway.
"The emergency resurfacing is expected to be completed, and the westbound section reopened once set.
"Following the lorry fire on Monday night, and since the fire service extinguished and damped down the remaining hay, National Highways’ teams have been involved in a protracted clear-up and recovery operation.
"The remaining hay bales and other debris were cleared overnight, alongside further barrier repair work, before resurfacing started at 8am today.
"Westbound traffic has been following the diversion route since the road closure; no significant delays have been reported, and we’re looking to reopen this section later today."
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