‘Fireball’ leads to A30 chaos
The A30 eastbound near Exeter was closed throughout yesterday after a fire involving a lorry late on Monday night, with flames seen for miles –
An explosive fire closed one of the South West’s busiest roads throughout yesterday.
The A30 eastbound near Exeter remained shut after a blaze ripped through an HGV, causing its tyres to explode and leaving the vehicle a charred shell.
Residents in the village of Ide spoke of their shock after hearing a series of explosions during the incident that began at about 11pm on Monday.
Explosions could be heard across Exeter, leading people to think they were caused by fireworks on Bonfire Night. The flames were visible for miles.
Nicki Rice, who lives in Old Ide Lane, said the series of explosions were “quite scary”.
“There were multiple loud bangs and then we saw flames licking up the side of the lorry,” she said.
“Initially, with it being Bonfire Night, we thought it was fireworks.
“It was really loud and quite scary. From our back bedroom window you could see the flames very clearly.
“I was worried at one point whether the lorry was going to fully blow up.
“There was floating debris on fire which was also a worry with a few thatched cottages around.”
Neighbour Nicola Davey said: “My husband thought at first it was fireworks but then the bangs got really loud.
“You could see the fire glowing and we then rang 999 because we couldn’t see any emergency services.
“It was quite frightening.” The driver, who was repor- ted to be unhurt, was one of many people who called the emergency services.
Another Ide resident, Christine Jeans, also reported hearing a big explosion followed by several smaller ones said.
“The main thing is that the driver was OK,” she said.
Seven fire crews from Exeter, Topsham and Plympton were involved in tackling the blaze into the early hours yesterday.
Both sides of the dual carriage were closed due to the “size and intensity” of the blaze, said a spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.
Crews had to drag out and continuously damp out the paper load that the lorry was carrying, a process that required “large amounts of water and effort”, a spokesperson said.
During the day, the eastbound carriageway remained closed between Pathfinder Vil- lage and the Alphington turn, leading to miles of tailbacks on the busy commuter route, and congestion on nearby minor roads.
The closure was needed to allow the wreckage of the lorry to be removed and for repairs to be carried out to the road surface which was damaged in the fire.
A spokesperson for the Highways Agency said the blaze had caused “extensive damage” to the carriageway. The recovery of the remains of the lorry was a complex operation, the agency said, as the vehicle would have to be dismantled as part of the removal.
While the eastbound route was closed, diversions were in place through Pathfinder Village to rejoin at Alphington.
Lorry drivers heading east were advised to avoid the A30 altogether and to use the A38.
The cause of the fire has yet to be established.