A249 Shut for Nearly Five Hours After Lorry Blaze
The A249 between Sittingbourne and the Isle of Sheppey was closed early Tuesday after a heavy goods vehicle caught fire. The dramatic blaze sparked a major emergency response, snarling traffic for hours.
Heavy Fire Crews Battle Blaze on Recycling Lorry
At around 7:40am, four fire engines and a water carrier raced to the scene between Bobbing and Iwade. Firefighters, decked out in breathing apparatus, fought the flames with two hose reel jets. Due to limited water supplies nearby, a water carrier was crucial in dousing the fire.
The recycling lorry was unloaded safely in a nearby layby and soaked with 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 and reload the waste.
Major Delays as Diversions Cause Traffic Chaos
The A249 remained shut between Sittingbourne and Iwade for nearly five hours, causing tailbacks all the way back to the M2 motorway. Local diversion routes slowed to a crawl as frustrated drivers faced lengthy delays.
A kent-police/" title="Kent Police" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Kent Police spokesman said: “We were called at around 7.40am regarding a lorry on fire on the Sheerness-bound carriageway between Bobbing and Kemsley. Officers attended with Kent Fire and Rescue, who extinguished the fire. Both carriageways were closed during the emergency response.”
Kent Fire and Rescue added: “Three fire engines and a bulk water carrier were sent to the scene. Crews wearing breathing apparatus used hose reel jets to put out the flames. Thankfully, no casualties were reported. The cause is believed to be accidental.”
Kent Fire and Rescue have confirmed the situation is now under control, but the impact on traffic is expected to last into the afternoon.
