A249 Shut After Recycling Lorry Goes Up in Flames
Chaos on the A249 this morning as police and Kent Fire and Rescue shut the road between Sittingbourne and the Isle of Sheppey. A recycling lorry caught fire just after 8.30am near Bobbing and Iwade.
Blazing Lorry Brings Traffic to a Standstill
Four fire engines and a water carrier raced to the scene, where firefighters in breathing apparatus battled the blaze with two hose reel jets. Due to scarce water supplies, a water carrier was urgently called in.
The recycling lorry was unloaded in a nearby layby and drenched in water before its waste was transferred into a new roll-on roll-off skip. A digger was also brought in to help clear the debris.
Traffic Nightmare as Diversions Cause Tailbacks
The A249 remains closed between Sittingbourne and Iwade, with traffic slow on local diversion routes. Commuters face delays stretching back to the M2 motorway.
Kent Fire and Rescue have been contacted for comment.
