A busy Essex road remains partly closed on Thursday (June 2) after a lorry burst into flames. Essex Fire and Rescue Service rushed to Canvey Way, Canvey Island after a fuel tanker caught on fire on Wednesday afternoon (June 1).
Dramatic pictures show the flames spewing from the lorry and billowing black smoke stretching over the road. In a tweet Essex Fire and Rescue Service previously said: “We’re on the scene of a vehicle fire involving a fuel tanker on Canvey Way / Saddlers Farm.
“The road is closed as a precaution while our crews work to extinguish the fire. We anticipate traffic will be affected for some time; please find an alternative route if possible”
The smoke plume could be seen from miles away with drivers on the A12, M25 and people in Basildon spotting it in the sky. Emergency repair work on the carriageway is now ongoing.
Sensors have shown the road has reopened southbound but remains closed northbound. The road is expected to remain closed while extensive recovery is carried out.
The A130 Canvey Way Northbound is still closed.
There are reports of very slow traffic due to emergency repairs and earlier fuel tanker fire between B1014 Canvey Road (Waterside Roundabout, Canvey Island) and A13 (Sadlers Farm Roundabout, South Benfleet).
firefighters tackled huge flames that sent smoke billowing into the Essex skyline after a fuel tanker caught fire. Families near to the Saddlers Farm roundabout were urged to keep their doors and windows shut following the incident.
Crews from across the county were first called to reports of a vehicle fire at just after 5pm today (June 1). Eight appliances- two from Basildon, one each from Leigh, Rayleigh, Maldon and Hawkwell as well as the foam pump from Orsett and water bowser from Corringham – attended the scene.
Saddlers Farm in Benfleet has been closed while crews work at the scene. And a video shared from the incident showed the full nature of the raging inferno.
An Essex County Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “Crews were called to reports of a vehicle fire involving a fuel tanker on Sadlers Farm roundabout in Benfleet. The road has been closed as a precaution while firefighters work to extinguish the fire, We anticipate the road will be closed for some time, so we’re urging residents to avoid the area and to find an alternative route where possible.
“There is a large amount of smoke in the area surrounding the incident, and those living locally are reminded to keep windows and doors closed. This is an on-going incident and further updates will be provided shortly.”
