A361 lorry fire pictures show severity of blaze that has closed road

Photographs have emerged showing the severity of the A361 lorry fire. The major road in Devon is still closed in both directions this morning (September 15) following a vehicle carrying hay. Several fire crews battled the blaze on the A361 North Devon Link Road between Rifton Lane, Rackenford, and the A396 Bolham Road, Tiverton.

The images were shared by Tiverton Fire Station who were mobilised to the fire.

Picture from firefighters of the hay lorry fire (Image: Tiverton Fire Station)

In a post shared by the fire crew they said: ”At 16:16 Crews from Tiverton, Cullompton and a Water Bowser from Exeter were mobilised to a large vehicle fire on the A361 following numerous calls to our Fire Control. ”The fire was affecting a large quantity of hay bales on board the lorry. ”Crews requested further assistance from Witheridge and Barnstaple (water bowser).”

The A361 remains closed more than 12 hours after firefighters were first called out to the scene (Image: Tiverton Fire Station)

”Update at 2137 hrs.

Crews have been making steady progress dragging out the hay and using positive pressure fans to accelerate a controlled burn of the hay. ”The crews are now rotating with relief crews from Dulverton and Wellington in place. Special lighting equipment is also en route from Taunton, due to the incident being expected to go on into the night.”

The fire on the lorry which was carrying hay on the A361 (Image: Tiverton Fire Station)

The fire was first reported by traffic monitoring service Inrix yesterday (September 14) at 16:28.

Inrix reports: ”Road remains closed since Monday Afternoon for road resurfacing. Affecting traffic travelling between Tiverton and South Molton.”

Picture tweeted by police of the hay lorry fire on the A361 (Image: Twitter/Alliance Roads Policing)

The incident has forced the road to be closed and a tweet from Devon Alert – the county council’s highways and emergency planning team – says it will stay shut while repairs are carried out. “Please follow the diversions in place and allow extra time for your journey,” the tweet adds.

Blaze on a lorry carrying hay in Devon. (Image: Aaron Morey-Weale)

For live updates on the A361 lorry fire click here.

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