Black smoke rises from A55 in Chester as car 'explodes'

Clouds of black smoke rose high from the A55 Sunday evening after a car towing a horsebox caught fire — with local residents reporting they heard an 'explosion'. There were no injuries in the blaze, with the horses also saved.

Vicars Cross residents told CheshireLive a "huge bang" was heard before black smoke began "billowing up into the sky." They added a second and third explosion were heard.

The fire service was called to the scene around 5.24pm Sunday (June 23), with two fire engines attending from Chester. In addition to fighting the fire, firefighters laid down a covering jet to prevent the fire spreading to roadside trees.

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A spokesperson for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Fire crews attended a fire involving a vehicle towing a horsebox. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used a hose reel jet to fight the fire, and a covering jet to prevent the flames spreading to the trees. Horses were safely removed from the incident. A road closure was in place while the incident was dealt with, police gradually reopened lanes when it was safe to do so."

A Cheshire Police spokesperson said: "At 5.22pm on Sunday 23 June, police were called to reports of a vehicle fire on the A55 near Littleton, Chester. The incident involved a vehicle towing a horsebox.

"The horses were safely removed from the horsebox and the road was closed while the incident was dealt with."

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