Long delays on A2 due to lorry fire

Recovery work and damage assessments following a lorry fire have led to the closure of three out of four lanes on the A2 in Kent.

Long delays have been reported after the blaze broke out at about 05:00 GMT on Thursday on the London-bound carriageway between the A2260 Bean interchange for Ebbsfleet and the M25 Darenth interchange.

National Highways said earlier that journeys on the route would take some 90 minutes longer than usual, though this was later scaled down.

Traffic was congested for about 6 miles (9.6km) at the peak of the incident, it added.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service said five crews and a bulk water carrier were sent to the scene.

A spokesperson said the blaze had been extinguished and the cause was not yet known.

No-one was injured, they said.

The traffic monitor Inrix reported the long delays continued while damage assessments were undertaken after the recovery work.

Kent Police confirmed its officers attended and assisted the fire service and highways officers.

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