Huge Hay Lorry Blaze Brings Kent’s A257 to a Standstill
Dramatic scenes unfolded yesterday afternoon as a 12-tonne hay lorry caught fire on the A257 Ash Bypass near Canterbury. Firefighters from Sandwich, Deal, and Dover raced to the scene to battle the raging blaze.
Firefighters Battle Blaze for 12 Hours
The Kent Fire and Rescue Service fought the fire for around 12 hours, using high-pressure water jets and drag forks to control the flames. The lorry trailer and all the hay were completely destroyed in the fiery inferno.
“On arrival, the incident commander confirmed that the lorry was well alight and requested a further three appliances to assist operations,” a Kent Fire spokesman said.
Fire crews unloaded blazing hay from the lorry while tackling the flames with two main jets and a foam jet. Additional water was supplied from a bulk carrier vehicle.
Road Closure and Ongoing Investigations
The A257, the main road between Wingham and Sandwich, was shut for several hours. Police helped keep the area safe, especially as darkness fell, allowing firefighters to work without interruption.
The burnt-out lorry was later removed by a recovery vehicle. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
