A major stretch of the A66 was closed for hours in County Durham after a lorry burst into flames on the carriageway.
Emergency services were called to lorry fire on the A66 at around 4pm on Tuesday. The busy route between the A67 near Bowes and the A1M at Scotch Corner was closed in both directions as police and numerous fire crews descended on the scene.
Firefighters spent a long time fighting the flames on the carriageway with smoke being seen for miles.
READ MORE: Mayor Jamie Driscoll accuses Boris Johnson of "political ponzi scheme"
The road closure caused traffic chaos for drivers who were forced to follow diversion routes.
Dramatic pictures show the aftermath of the huge blaze, with the large goods vehicle trailer completely destroyed. It is understood the lorry was carrying waste batteries.
A County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Reports of a large goods vehicle on fire near Scotch Corner on the A66 came into CDDFRS control around 3:45pm on Tuesday, 7th June. Crews from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and crews from CDDFRS Darlington and Barnard Castle attended. Crews extinguished the fire using a water bowser, breathing apparatus and hose reels. Crews left the scene at 6:10pm. Police were in attendance.”
After the flames were extinguished, the road was closed overnight to allow the recovery of the vehicle and any repairs to the A66 surface.
The road fully re-opened on Wednesday morning at 5.30am - more than 13 hours after the lorry caught fire. Both police and the fire service have been contacted for comment.
READ MORE
- Dropping £50-a-day tolls for Newcastle Clean Air Zone 'too good to be true', says council leader
- Two North East seaside fish and chip shops named among the best in the countryNORTHUMBERLAND
- "No one should lose their mam at that age": Winlaton mum-of-four Stephanie Wilkinson loses brave cancer battle
- Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes gets handy pre-season bonus after schedule change
