Lorry bursts into flames as tyres fly ’30 feet into air’ on busy road after crash

The vehicle burst into flames after crashing on the A1 in East Lothian today

John Paul Clark, Lee Dalgetty News Reporter and Olivia Bridge 22:23, 11 Mar 2026

A lorry could be seen burning at the side of the road following a two-vehicle crash today.

Emergency services raced to the A1 in East Lothian, between the Thistly Cross roundabout and Haddington turn off, at around 3.50pm following reports of a collision.

The fire reportedly caused the tyres on the lorry to fly[1] '30 feet into the air'.

The incident forced police to close the road and urge drivers to avoid the area. Footage from the scene shows a lorry in flames, with thick plumes of black smoke billowing overhead, reports Edinburgh Live.[2] It is unclear if anyone was injured as a result of the incident.

Bystander, Mark Innes, said: "It carried forward with the momentum, driving along the motorway and it probably almost instantly burst into flames.

"It was terrifying.

It was honestly like something out of a film. It's good that everyone is okay.

"I got my van into a safe position, and by that point that was a few bystanders and other drivers helping. By the time I ran over the driver was out, he was obviously very shaken and panicked.

"The lorry was exploding.

There were tyres blowing thirty feet into the air and crashing down, going into the nearby bushes and setting them on fire."

Police Scotland said: "The A1 is closed northbound between the Thistly Cross roundabout and the Haddington turn off following a two-vehicle crash reported to police around 3.50pm on Wednesday, 11 March. Road users are advised to avoid the area."

Traffic Scotland posted to X at the time: "NEW 4.05pm. A1, Haddington.

"The A1 is CLOSED northbound at Haddington to a road traffic incident.

Please use alternative routes and expect delays."

References

1. ^ fly (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^ Edinburgh Live. (www.edinburghlive.co.uk)