Gridlock as lorry is destroyed in blaze
PART of the A15 was closed yesterday following a major blaze which completely destroyed a large lorry.
The incident on the northbound side of the carriageway between Barnetby Top roundabout and the turn-off for Elsham Wold Industrial Estate began shortly before 8am.
Both sides of the road were closed for much of the morning leading to long tailbacks with Humberside Police urging motorists to “avoid the area if you can”. A spokesperson for Humberside Police wrote on Twitter: “The M62 junction 35/36 remains closed due to ongoing police incident.
“The A15 at Barnetby Top is now open south bound but remains closed north bound while a lorry fire is being dealt with.”
As the blaze took hold earlier yesterday morning, the HGV was dramatically consumed in flames and a large pillar of smoke was visible for miles around.
Many drivers became stuck in the gridlock, with traffic problems exacerbated by a full closure of the M62 near Goole due to a “police incident” resulting in motorists heading to and from Hull trying to get around the motorway by going over the Humber Bridge.
It is understood that closure had been put in place in relation to the concern for the safety of someone on a bridge near Rawcliffe, in East Yorkshire.
One motorist stuck on the northbound side of the A15 said at the time: “I’ve been trapped on the M62 and now here on the A15. I’m about 40 cars back. What a morning!”
After the blaze on the A15 had been extinguished, a spokesperson for Humberside Fire & Rescue wrote on Twitter: “The lorry fire on the A15 at Elsham is now out. Due to the need to ensure residue from the products is safe the road may be closed for some time.”