A30 closed after lorry catches fire near Launceston

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 15 Oct, 13:32 · Archive

A lorry fire has closed both carriageways of the A30 near Launceston in Cornwall, causing long delays and forcing a nearby school to send pupils home.

A lorry caught fire on the A30 near Launceston in Cornwall on 15 October, closing both carriageways and causing long delays. The fire engulfed the vehicle completely, with reports suggesting an oil spill across both sides of the road from a broken-down lorry.

Police closed both the eastbound and westbound carriageways near Pennygillam while emergency services dealt with the incident. The fire sent significant amounts of smoke into the surrounding area. Residents living nearby were urged to keep windows and doors closed to prevent smoke from entering their homes, and motorists were advised to avoid the area.

Launceston College, located nearby, said the smoke had spread across the area surrounding the school. The college moved all pupils and staff to buildings furthest from the road and asked parents to collect their children as soon as possible. The school said all students and staff remained 'safe and secure'. Students who normally travelled on school transport or public buses were permitted to remain in designated buildings until the end of the school day. No details about any injuries were released, and emergency services remained at the scene.

How it is being reported

• Huge lorry fire closes A30 as smoke prompts school to send pupils homeParents have been asked to collect children early from a Cornwall school after a vehicle fire on the A30 sent significant smoke across the area.Falmouth Packet · 15 Oct, 13:07
• Huge lorry fire closes A30 as smoke prompts school to send pupils homeParents have been asked to collect children early from a Cornwall school after a vehicle fire on the A30 sent significant smoke across the area.Falmouth Packet · 15 Oct, 13:07
• A30 closed after lorry bursts into flames - live updatesThere are long delaysCornwallLive · 15 Oct, 12:49

In this story: A30 · Launceston · Cornwall · Launceston College · Pennygillam

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