Blistering heat from bus fire causes severe damage to A30

The damaged carriageway following the fire on the A30
-Credit:National Highways


Traffic is being slowed down on a section of the A30 after a bus fire caused severe damage to the carriageway. Emergency services were called to a section of the road between the turn off to Broadwoodwidger and the junction with the A386 at Sourton Cross, yesterday, February 1, at 7.30pm.

Pictures show the empty burnt-out shell of the vehicle being towed away in the night. In the cold light of today, pictures show how the intense blistering heat from the blaze melted parts of the road surface, making it highly dangerous and unusable until emergency repair work is completed.

Both sides of the dual carriageway were initially shut and then the westbound carriageway reopened. The first lane of the eastbound side, where the fire started, remains closed while repair work is carried out.

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The charred remains of the vehicle have been recovered but delays are still being caused due to the ongoing lane closure. Earlier today, Sunday, February 2, National Highways confirmed an assessment of the road was being carried out.

The aftermath of the fire
The burnt-out shell of the bus after the fire -Credit:National Highways

It has not yet been confirmed when it will be opened. Drivers are being warned to approach the area with caution. Precise details have also not been given of the vehicle involved which is believed to be a bus or possibly a minibus.

Earlier today, National Highways: South West said in a tweet: "Lane one (of two) remains closed on the A30 eastbound between A388 Launceston and A386 Sourton Down for assessment of the carriageway for damage caused by an earlier vehicle fire. No delays reported on approach."