Drivers are facing six miles of congestion on a busy A-road this morning due to a large lorry fire.
The incident happed on the A2 London-bound near Bean and Junction 2 of the M25 for the Darenth Interchange.
Drivers are facing delays in excess of an hour after a lorry fire. Picture: National Highways
Five fire engines and a bulk water carrier were dispatched to the scene, where firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the blaze.
A technical rescue unit also attended and used a telehandler to remove and cool the contents of the lorry.
No injuries have been reported, and the cause is unknown.
Three lanes remain closed, and rush-hour commuters are facing delays of more than 90 minutes.
National Highways alerted the incident at 5am, where the entire road was shut off for nearly an hour.
Lane one, two and three of four currently remain closed.
An eyewitness said: “I was driving on the other side of the A2 near Bluewater shortly before 8.40am and could see the fire was now out.
“Several fire engines were in attendance and the large freight lorry had been completely gutted.
“There also appeared to be what looked like several groups food containers which were piled up behind the remains of the charred chassis.
“Traffic was being held at two separate points along the A2 just before the incident and a drip feed of vehicles were being released towards junction 2 for the Darenth Interchange.”
Congestion is building all the way back along the coastbound carriageway towards Singlewell, near Gravesend and Jeskyns Country Park.
Fire crews remain at the scene and are advising people travelling towards the area to expect delays and to check for traffic updates.
More as we have it.