Chaos on A303 as Drivers Flood 999 with 80 Calls Over Central Reservation Fire
Drivers on the A303 caused a frenzy, making 80 separate 999 calls in under 10 minutes due to a small fire on the motorway’s central reservation near Andover.
Blaze Sparks Call Frenzy
The fire broke out between the A343 and A3057 junctions, prompting frantic motorists to dial emergency operators at Hampshire Fire and Rescue. Crews were quickly dispatched to tackle the flames.
Emergency Services Swamped
Despite the blaze being small, the sheer volume of calls overwhelmed 999 operators. Firefighters urged drivers to stay calm and leave the area clear for emergency crews.
Motorists Urged to Stay Alert
- Drive carefully around the affected A303 section
- Do not make unnecessary calls to emergency services
- Report only genuine emergencies to avoid clogging 999 lines
Hampshire Fire and Rescue thanked the public for their cooperation but warned against call overloads in future incidents.
