Straw fire closes A1
A lorry carrying 200 bales of straw caught fire on the A1 northbound, causing major delays for drivers.
Drivers faced major delays on the A1 northbound after a lorry carrying 200 bales of straw caught fire on the carriageway.
The fire broke out on the northbound road between Leeming Bar and Catterick on Monday, March 26 and is believed to have been caused by a cigarette thrown out of a passing vehicle, a fire service spokesman said.
Firefighters were called to the scene at around 10.30am, and found the lorry and its load of straw well alight.
The driver had managed to uncouple a trailer full of straw bales that the lorry had been pulling before the fire spread.
The whole of the northbound carriageway and one lane of the southbound were closed as firefighters in breathing apparatus battled the flames, causing severe delays for motorists.
Crews came from from Northallerton, Colburn, Boroughbridge and Tadcaster and fire engines from Ripon and Richmond were later called to relieve some. Tractor loaders, pitch forks and a road sweeper were also used to clear straw off the carriage way before the road could be reopened, and firefighters were at the scene until around 6pm.
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Thursday 23 May 2013
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