Huge lorry fire forces major road to shut as drivers urged to avoid area with long delays expected

This is due to a lorry fire, with multiple firefighters working to extinguish the fire which has caused heavy delays in both directions.

Data from National Highways shows that traffic on long stretches of the A31 not moving, with slow-moving traffic being seen further down the road heading eastbound.

Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailingmotoring@gbnews.uk

Fire crews from Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire, and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service are on the scene working to extinguish the fire.

A spokesperson for DWFRS said: "Crews from Verwood and Redhill Park are in attendance at an incident on the A31 involving a lorry fire alongside out Hampshire and IOW FRS colleagues from Redbridge and Ringwood, along with a water carrier also from Ringwood."

The incident involved a fire in an articulated lorry containing between 17 and 18 tonnes of refuse.

Three main jets and a hose reel jet were used to extinguish the fire, the spokesperson told GB News.

Pictures and videos from the scene show a long line of vehicles waiting behind the major blaze with work being done to clear the incident as quickly as possible.

The images also show large plumes of black smoke emanating from the top of the lorry along the A31.

It appears that the driver of the lorry was able to detach the load from their cab ensuring that they would remain safer.

National Highways has not yet given an estimated time as to when the incident will be cleared and when traffic conditions return to normal.

This is the second fire to occur on the A31 today, with Dorset Police reporting that it had been called to an incident at 7.59am near the Ashley Heath roundabout.

"Officers attended with the fire service, and road closures were put in place," Dorset Echo reported.

The AA reported that the vehicle fire took place on the A31 Eastbound from A338 Salisbury Road to Poulner turn-off.

Sensors show the eastbound side of the road is now blocked, with the westbound side slowing to look at the accident. No injuries were reported.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• Sainsbury's Nectar card offer could see electric car drivers benefit from triple points in limited-time deal
• Drivers demand urgent law changes as furious motorists deface 20mph speed limit signs across Wales
• Major vehicle brand admits struggles with EVs - 'How do you give this pleasure of driving to electric cars?'

One commuter claimed that the queuing traffic also saw a multiple-vehicle car crash as drivers were waiting to get the incident cleared.