A590: Video shows scene of HGV fire that caused major delays

Emergency services were called to the scene just after 2.30pm on June 11, after reports of a lorry on fire. Fire crews from Ulverston and Grange attended and used a hose reel jet and thermal imaging camera to bring the blaze under control. The fire was extinguished by 3.21pm, according to Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service.

Cumbria Police assisted with managing traffic around the scene, confirming that recovery vehicles were on-site later in the afternoon.

Traffic was diverted and eyewitnesses described long delays as police allowed vehicles to pass in one direction at a time.

One driver, caught in the queue while travelling from Barrow to Morecambe, said the incident added around 45 minutes to their journey. Just before 5pm, they said: "The road isn't closed. The police are letting one side go at a time.

Currently sat waiting about 200 metres from the lorry that was on fire. So standing still for about 10/15 minutes then moving. It's very slow progress but progress nonetheless."

Another motorist travelling through Lancaster shortly after the fire was extinguished said: "Fire is out, emergency services still guiding traffic through. It's very slow but it is moving. Just be more traffic now with it being rush hour but I imagine it won't be long until it's clear."

According to the AA, average speeds dropped to 15mph, and delays of up to 12 minutes were reported on the eastbound stretch near Greenodd during the peak of the incident. Cumbria Police confirmed the recovery was completed by 5.45pm as traffic began to return to normal. Readers can subscribe for just GBP4 for 4 months in this flash sale [4]

The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed and no injuries have yet been reported.

References

^ Man, 52, arrested over alleged racially aggravated assault in Barrow (www.nwemail.co.uk)
^ Six-vehicle collision causes delays on A590 Dalton Bypass (www.nwemail.co.uk)
^ Man, 52, arrested over alleged racially aggravated assault in Barrow (www.nwemail.co.uk)
^ Readers can subscribe for just GBP4 for 4 months in this flash sale (www.nwemail.co.uk)