Police issue A453 lorry fire statement as road remains closed as blaze 'keeps reigniting'

Emergency services were called to the scene of a lorry fire on a major A road in Nottingham that led to traffic chaos across the city. The A453 in Clifton has been closed southbound after the moving vehicle caught fire.

The incident was reported at 11.25am on Tuesday, October 29, and the road was still closed as of 7pm. National Highways explained in a statement that Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service crews were at the scene and added that the fire kept reigniting.

Nottinghamshire Police added that the occupants of the lorry were unharmed during the incident. A spokesperson for the force said: "Closures are currently in place along the A453 in Clifton following a vehicle fire.

"Emergency services were called around 11.25am today (29 October) when the moving van caught fire. The occupants of the van were unharmed in the incident.

"The A453 has been closed outbound between the Farnborough Road and Silverdale roundabouts. We are advising motorists to please avoid the area and make alternate travel routes."

National Highways said: "The A453 in Nottinghamshire is closed southbound between the A52 near Wilford and the M1 J24 near Kegworth due to a heavy goods vehicle fire. Nottingham Fire & Rescue are in attendance and are working hard to extinguish the fire which keeps on re-igniting.

"National Highways Traffic Officers are also in attendance and are assisting with traffic management." Six NCT bus services remained affected by the fire, including the Navy 1, 3, 4 and 48, as well as the Grey 53 and 54 services.

NCT said: "Due to an issue on the A453, Navy 48 and Grey [53 and] 54 are diverting towards Clifton. At Silverdale buses will use the A52 to Nottingham Knight Island, right onto Loughborough Road, where they will then divert through Ruddington onto Clifton Road and into Clifton at the Fairham to join their normal route at Southchurch.

"Buses toward the City are normal route." The company added: "Due to an issue on the A453, [the 1, 3 and 4] buses towards Clifton are diverting via Ruddington Lane, Wilford Road and Clifton Road to reach the Fairham.

"Buses will then operate via Farnborough Road to normal route on the A453. Buses toward Nottingham are normal route."

Nottingham Express Transit (NET) also said its trams, which include routes to Clifton, are delayed due to traffic in the area.