A lorry has caught fire on the A55.

Long delays are being reported in both directions after the wagon caught fire on the westbound carriageway of the road just after the Posthouse Roundabout.

A55 lorry fire sparks traffic chaos as billowing smoke shuts road

The A55 had to be closed in both directions after a lorry burst into flames.

Read the full story of what happened here.

Lorry fire closes one lane on the A55 westbound near Posthouse Roundabout, Chester on friday afternoon.
Lorry fire closes one lane on the A55 westbound near Posthouse Roundabout, Chester on friday afternoon. (Image: Daily Post Wales)
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Traffic easing

Traffic is now starting to ease in the area.

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Traffic update

Traffic is still extremely heavy around the affected area, especially northbound on the A483 and southbound (towards North Wales) on the A55.

Doesn’t look great for motorists heading out of Chester either.

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Image of the damaged lorry

The lorry has been significantly damaged in the fire.

Lorry fire closes one lane on the A55 westbound near Posthouse Roundabout, Chester on friday afternoon.
Lorry fire closes one lane on the A55 westbound near Posthouse Roundabout, Chester on friday afternoon. (Image: Daily Post Wales)
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Full lane closure expected

A full lane closure is expected on the southbound-carriageway within the next couple of hours so the lorry can be removed and the road assessed for damage.

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Picture from the scene

This picture from our photographer Robert Parry Jones shows the extent of traffic problems earlier today

Traffic jams chaos for motorists as a lorry fire closes one lane on the A55 westbound near Posthouse Roundabout, Chester on friday afternoon.
Traffic jams chaos for motorists as a lorry fire closes one lane on the A55 westbound near Posthouse Roundabout, Chester on friday afternoon. (Image: Daily Post Wales)
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Remains of the lorry

The burnt out remains of the lorry remain on the scene at this moment.

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Cheshire Fire Service comment

Cheshire Fire Service have just released the following comment.

A spokesman said:

Fire crews were called to the A55 westbound after a lorry caught fire.

On arrival crews found the lorry well alight and used two breathing apparatus and one main jet to tackle the fire.
During the incident both carriageways of the A55 were shut to traffic.

Crews were at the scene for an hour and a half. “

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Still long delays

There are still some very long delays for motorists in the area.

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Aftermath of the fire

Our photographer Robert Parry Jones has taken this video from the aftermath of the blaze.

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Video of the blaze

This video taken by Victoria Bowyer shows the large blaze as it took hold.

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Southbound delays

Traffic on the southbound-carriageway (North Wales direction) of the A55 is stretching back as far as Mickle Trafford at the moment. The area is best avoided for the foreseeable.

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Traffic still very heavy

Traffic is still extremely heavy in the area, despite both carriageways having at least one lane open. The lorry is still awaiting recovery.

Traffic following A55 lorry fire
Traffic following A55 lorry fire (Image: roadworks.org)
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Traffic backing up through Chester

Traffic is at a stand still right into Chester city centre, with commuters coming out of work set to make the situation worse.

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One lane reopened

One lane of the westbound carriageway has now re-opened.

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Motorists were out of cars

Motorists were out of their cars while trapped behind the burning lorry.

Motorists are out of their cars after lorry fire on A55
Motorists are out of their cars after lorry fire on A55 (Image: UGC TNW)
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Fire extinguished

Cheshire Fire Service have said that the fire has now been extinguished.

Contrary to the previous statement about the eastbound carriageway being reopened, it appears the westbound carriageway is actually open and the eastbound remains closed.

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Driver understood to be uninjured

Our sister paper the Chester Chronicle is reporting that the driver is understood to have been uninjured in the incident.

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Eastbound carriageway back open

The eastbound carriageway has now re-opened.

The westbound carriageway remains closed to traffic.

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Avoid the area

Traffic is building up very heavily in the area, as this sensor image shows.

Long tailbacks building up on the A55 following a lorry fire
Long tailbacks building up on the A55 following a lorry fire
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Picture of the blaze

This picture from Twitter user Marc Lloyd Williams shows the lorry well ablaze.

A lorry has set on fire on the A55 near the Posthouse Roundabout
A lorry has set on fire on the A55 near the Posthouse Roundabout (Image: Marc Lloyd Williams)
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Road shut in both directions

Cheshire Fire Service have urged motorists to avoid the area, and say the road is closed in both directions

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Large fire

A lorry has set on fire on the A55 near Posthouse Roundabout.

The blaze is causing long delays for motorists in the area while the incident is dealt with.

Pictures from the scene show smoke pluming across both carriageways.

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