Bridgnorth road closed for a week after fire engulfs lorry - WATCH
A road will be closed for around a week as a fire-wrecked lorry is cleared.
Flames burst from a lorry sending smoke billowing into the air in Bridgnorth.
The driver had escaped from his cab as soon as the extent of the fire became known to him.
Concerned residents took to social media after hearing the fire explode just before 9pm yesterday.
Tyres burst into flames with fears from firefighters that the intense heat could rupture fuel tanks.
The fire happened on the B4373. Emergency services closed off the road overnight into today.
Broseley councillor Simon Harris wrote on Facebook that it was unlikely that the damaged lorry would be cleared until Sunday.
An existing road closure was already planned for that stretch of the B4373 for a separate scheme. This will continue as planned.
The councillor said: "It looks like the truck will not be moved until tomorrow, and the damage to the road is severe as it’s sunk into the tarmac.
"As you are aware we had a road closure booked for Monday anyway, so we are going to keep the road closed for the next week."
WATCH: Smoke rising from Bridgnorth lorry fire
Bridgnorth firefighter Ashley Brown said: “On arrival a HGV was fully involved in fire, along with sections of hedgerows and a large oak tree.
“Crews worked extremely hard to control the fire in the early stages, while tyres were exploding around them.
“We also worked to cool the fuel tanks which were showing signs of failing, due to the intense heat.
“In total six appliances and supporting appliances and officers attended the incident."
He added that the road is likely to be partially closed today while the fire-wrecked lorry is recovered.
“We would encourage people to stay away and not approach the site or vehicle," said Firefighter Brown.
“The cause is being treated as accidental.”
Twitter user Dan Bradley posted this video:
