Kezia Caroline BuckleyA burning lorry caused over seven hours of disruption today, causing the A19 to close in both directions.
The lorry, carrying approximately 58 bales of hay, caught alight on the A170 flyover bridge which passes over the A19 just East of Thirsk at about 9.40am.
Due to burning hay bales and debris falling from the bridge on to the A19 dual carriageway, the road was closed until about 4.30pm.
Long delays were reported as the emergency services worked to tackle to fire and the Highways Agency officials inspected the disruption to the road.
It took four fire crews from Thirsk, Northallerton, Ripon and Richmond along with a water bowser from Boroughbridge to put out the blaze which lasted for more than seven hours.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service believe the incident was caused by a carelessly discarded cigarette from a passing vehicle.
