A9 blocked by lorry fire at Berriedale
MOTORISTS have been left stranded on the A9 after a lorry caught fire and jack-knifed at the notorious Berriedale Braes leaving drivers from the south facing a 77 mile detour to reach Caithness.
Fire crews were called to the north hairpin of the stretch of road at 7.49am on Tuesday morning when a fire occurred on a lorry which was carrying rubbish, believed to be heading towards the Seater landfill site.
The lorry driver escaped without injury but the road is expected to be shut for several hours while police carry out investigations.
North-bound traffic are facing a two hour detour between Helmsdale and Thurso on the A897 while the A9 is closed but HGV vehicles have been forced to turn back as the diverted road is not suitable for large vehicles.
Read more in Wednesday’s Caithness Courier.