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A5 stretch closed after lorry gutted in fire

The A5 was closed in Staffordshire after a dramatic lorry fire shut a road for around 14 hours.

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The aftermath of the fire. Photo: Highways England

The busy road was shut between the B4154 at Turf Island and the A460 at Churchbridge after the blaze tore through the lorry at around 1am.

The two-mile stretch of road had reopened after 3pm.

Pictures taken at the scene showed flames leaping out of the HGV as thick black smoke poured into the sky.

The aftermath of the lorry fire. Photo: Highways England
The aftermath of the fire. Photo: Highways England
The aftermath of the fire. Photo: Highways England
This photo of the blaze was taken by @steve84977583
This photo of the blaze was taken by @steve84977583

Crews from Staffordshire Fire Service extinguished the fire by 2am, with the charred wreck of the trailer left smouldering on the side of the road.

Highways England and Staffordshire Police told drivers to expect delays while the lorry was recovered and the road cleared.

A statement from Highways England said the recovery operation was protracted.

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