Dramatic images show bin lorry fire that shut major Leicestershire road

The incident led to road closures and bus diversions

16:01, 20 Mar 2026

The blaze, which involved approximately one tonne of rubbish, forced police to shut the busy A426 County Arms junction(Image: Sarah Groves)

Dramatic images have emerged of a bin lorry fire that closed a major Leicestershire[1] road on Friday morning.

The bin lorry was carrying out collections in Glen Parva[2] when rubbish inside the vehicle caught alight on Leicester Road.

Firefighters were called to the scene at 11:56am, with two crews scrambled to tackle the blaze.

Around one tonne of the seven tonnes of rubbish inside the vehicle had caught fire, though the lorry itself escaped damage.

Leicester Road was shut at the A426 County Arms junction as crews worked to extinguish the flames and clear the debris-strewn road.

The bin lorry shed part of its load to prevent the fire from spreading(Image: Lucy Clayton)

Nobody was hurt in the incident, Blaby District Council[3] said.

Bus services were also thrown into disruption, with Arriva diverting routes 84, 85 and X45 via Soar Valley Way, St Johns, Enderby Road and Blaby Bypass while the road remained closed.

Paul Coates, Blaby District Council[4] Group Manager for Neighbourhood Services, said: "We're investigating the cause of a bin lorry fire during its rounds in Glen Parva.

Thankfully no-one was injured and we were able to move the lorry to a bus lane to reduce any impact."

"Thank you to the fire service, Leicestershire County Council and the police for their support in ensuring the fire was extinguished and the road cleared as quickly as possible."

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service[5] said the blaze was accidental.

The incident saw road closures put in place(Image: Paul Harrison)

References

1. ^ Leicestershire (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
2. ^ Glen Parva (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
3. ^ Blaby District Council (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
4. ^ Blaby District Council (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
5. ^ Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)