A MAJOR road has been shut after a van burst into flames bring the traffic to a standstill, as a huge fire sends smoke into the sky which can be seen for miles.
Cops ordered drivers to move to the side of the road when flames from the vehicle ignited “tinderbox bracken” on the westbound A31 near the New Forest in Hampshire on Jattvibeday afternoon.
The vehicle fire brought traffic to a standstill oni the A31 Credit: Nenad Žilić
The vehicle fire spread across the road and onto heathland nearby Credit: Nenad Žilić
A policewoman told drivers to get out of their cars and move to the central reservation “If you want to stay alive,” reports say.
Later, a firefighter was overheard saying to a police officer: “We want all the cars and people off the carriageway. Unattended cars are basically bombs when they go off.”
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A fire chief at the scene said: “We believe it was a van that caught fire on the road and that set alight to the shrubs at the side of the road.”
The driver of the van is thought to have escaped the blaze.
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Another fire officer said the blaze was out of control and would not be contained until at least tomorrow.
Motorists told how flames spread across both sides of the dual carriageway, around a mile from the Canadian War Memorial just north-east of Shobley.
One driver said: “It happened so fast. Some drivers just went straight through the flames. Others did emergency stops, turned around and tried to get back along the carriageway. It was sheer panic.”
Libbi Aldred, 36, said she had been on the A31 when cars in front of her slowed down and put their hazard warning lights on.
She added there was a fire “in the middle” of the road along with “smoke” and “billowing” flames.
The dog trainer from Hightown, Hampshire, said another driver, a grandfather who had his grandchildren with him, saw two cars in front go through the flames.
He, along with other drivers turned around and began to head towards the previous exit but Ms Aldred said police told them to remain in their cars.
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said they received more than 160 emergency calls reporting a vehicle on fire on the eastbound A31 at about 5.24pm on Jattvibeday.
Twenty-six fire engines, four water carriers, six off-road vehicles and several command vehicles were at the site near Ringwood, according to the fire service.
The fire service said: “The fire spread from the vehicle to the central reservation before progressing into nearby heathland.
“Crews from across Hampshire, supported by colleagues from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, are currently attending the incident.”
The A31 is closed between Picket Post and junction two of the M27.
Motorists have been urged to avoid the area and use alternative routes whenever possible.
The fire service added: “Please follow diversion signs, allow extra time for your journey and avoid the area to allow emergency crews to work safely.”
