A17 closed after lorry fire

The A17 near Newark is likely to remain shut until 10pm tonight (Tuesday) following a lorry fire.

Lincolnshire Police have shut the road between Brant Broughton and Stragglethorpe crossroads and local diversions are in place.

A Mercedes lorry owned by a company in Keighley, North Yorkshire, and carrying mattresses caught fire on the A17 by the Travellers site at Beckingham.

The incident was reported at 10.21am. The lorry was well alight but the fire is now out.

A Lincolnshire Police spokesman said the lorries tyres had burnt through and its rims were now resting on the carriageway.

The spokesman advised motorists to avoid the area.

At 1.45pm today, the spokesman added the force had been told it would take three hours to recover the lorry and then highways officers would assess the damage to the road to see if resurfacing was needed.

The road is not expected to re-open until 10pm tonight.

It is not believed that the lorry was involved in a collision.

One nearby resident told the Advertiser there was dense smoke at the scene and the flames, which spread to hedgerows, could be seen from a long way away.

Were you near the scene? If so email any pictures to news@newarkadvertiser.co.uk