A5 shut after lorry catches fire

One of Shropshire’s busiest roads remained closed today after a lorry carry 18 tonnes of straw caught fire.The A5/A483 north of Oswestry was sealed off by police when the trailer ignited. Motorists dialled 999 as they flagged down the driver of the lorry travelling with the straw blazing.

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No-one was hurt in the incident but the road remained closed today after the severe heat from the fire damaged the surface of the carriageway.

Engineers were also brought in to ensure a bridge over the railway below the carriageway was structurally sound.

Traffic was diverted along the old A5 route through the centre of Gobowen.

The blaze broke out on the trailer as it was travelling on the trunk road near the Hengoed turn on the bridge over the Shrewsbury to Chester rail line at 5pm. Trains using the line had to be slowed as they passed the scene.

Four fire crews from Oswestry, Chirk and Wrexham tackled the blaze.

Station Officer John Davies said the trailer was well alight and it took three hours to bring the blaze under control. Many firefighters were at the scene for eight hours with relief crews being brought in from Ellesmere and Shrewsbury. One appliance was still on site this morning.

Mr Davies said: “The smoke was drifting down the A5 causing a real danger for motorists and the road had to be closed. Train drivers were also contacted and told to go slowly as they passed the scene.

“The smoke was also drifting across a housing estate on the edge of Gobowen.”

Firefighters had to pump water from the Llangollen canal a mile away to tackle the fire.

Police closed the A5 shortly after 5.30pm.

A spokeswoman for West Mercia Police said: “The incident was north of Hengoed and there was a lorry on fire. Police were in attendance and diversions were put up.”

The mangled trailer was removed from the side of the carriageway and Highways Agency work was under way to resurface the road.

Picture: Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

By Sue Austin