Image shows Asda van blaze which sparked traffic chaos at A417 Air Balloon roundabout
An Asda delivery van has caught on fire on the A417 in Gloucestershire, sparking massive delays though the region. Traffic queued for more than an hour, according to reports, after the blaze was reported near Air Balloon roundabout shortly before 8am today, Monday, April 29.
A picture taken at the scene shows huge flames bursting from the engine of the van[1], which bares the Asda logo and signature shade of green. A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service said the van was 100 percent destroyed by fire.
The road was blocked in both directions while emergency services rushed to the scene. A Gloucestershire Police spokesperson confirmed officers were assisting with road closures and two fire engines from Gloucestershire North and Cheltenham East were sent to deal with the blaze.
One lane remains closed eastbound as of 10.50am while the vehicle is recovered. Traffic delays have started to ease in the area, though congestion is still heavy along the main road.
According to National Highways, there were delays of more than an hour and a half on the busy road while fire crews were at the scene, and traffic was also moving slowly on surrounding roads as drivers tried to divert around the incident.
Traffic monitor Inrix said: "One lane closed and queueing traffic due to vehicle fire on A417 Eastbound from A46 Shurdington Road (Brockworth) to Air Balloon Roundabout (Birdlip). Both sides of the road have now been reopened, but a lane closure has been put in place on the eastbound side of the road whilst the vehicle awaits recovery."
A Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: "We were called at 7.53am to reports of a van on fire on the A417. Two fire engines were sent from Gloucester North and Cheltenham East, to deal with a delivery van which was on fire.
"Crews used one hose reel and two sets of breathing apparatus to put it out. The van was 100 per cent damaged by fire and there were no injuries. The stop time was 8.54am."
GloucestershireLive has contacted Asda for comment.
References
- ^ huge flames bursting from the engine of the van (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)