Two major roads in eastern England were partially closed on Wednesday evening after a lorry caught fire, prompting a large emergency response and causing significant disruption for motorists traveling through Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. Authorities confirmed that sections of both the A14 and A11 were affected as firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control and ensure the safety of drivers in the area.
According to National Highways, the A14 was shut eastbound between junction 33 near Cambridge and junction 37 near Newmarket, Suffolk, following reports of a lorry fire along the route. The closure created heavy traffic congestion as emergency services responded to the incident during a busy evening travel period. The A14 is considered one of the region’s most important transport corridors, regularly carrying large volumes of freight and commuter traffic between the Midlands, East Anglia, and the Port of Felixstowe.
In addition to the A14 closure, officials also confirmed that the A11 northbound was shut from the A1034 while crews dealt with the incident. The closures caused delays across surrounding roads as motorists were forced to seek alternate routes around the affected areas. Drivers traveling toward Cambridge, Newmarket, and nearby parts of Suffolk experienced long queues and slower traffic conditions throughout the evening.
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service stated that firefighters were working alongside crews from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service to extinguish the burning lorry. Emergency responders remained at the scene for several hours as smoke billowed across parts of the roadway. Authorities have not yet released details regarding what caused the fire or whether anyone was injured during the incident.
Witnesses traveling along the motorway described seeing flames and thick black smoke rising from the lorry as emergency vehicles arrived quickly to contain the situation. Some drivers reported being stopped in traffic for extended periods while police and highway officers secured the area and diverted vehicles away from the scene.
Lorry fires can present significant hazards on major roadways due to the risk of explosions, fuel leaks, and rapidly spreading flames. Firefighters must often work carefully to cool affected vehicles and prevent fires from spreading to nearby traffic or roadside areas. Depending on the cargo being transported, additional safety precautions may also be required during emergency operations.
National Highways urged motorists to avoid the affected routes whenever possible and follow signed diversion routes while crews continued their response efforts. Authorities also reminded drivers to remain patient and cautious when traveling through nearby roads experiencing unusually heavy congestion due to the closures.
Traffic disruptions resulting from incidents on the A14 and A11 can quickly impact a large section of eastern England’s road network because both routes serve as key transportation links for commercial and regional travel. Freight companies, commuters, and holiday travelers were among those affected by Wednesday evening’s closures.
As emergency operations continued, officials stated that the roads would remain partially closed until the fire was fully extinguished and the area could be safely cleared. Recovery teams were also expected to remove the damaged lorry and inspect the roadway for any fire-related damage before reopening all lanes to traffic.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the lorry fire, and additional updates are expected once emergency crews complete their work at the scene.