A car has burst into flames on the Orwell Bridge, closing the highway in both direction just ahead of tonight's rush hour.
The fire started about 3.15pm today, between the Nacton Interchange and the Wherstead Interchange as the bridge goes over the B1456.
A spokesman for Suffolk Fire and Rescue said there were no injuries reported from the scene.
According to an eyewitness at the scene, Ryan Heart, the police have closed the road in both directions as black smoke from the burning car is covering both sides of the road.
Fire crews were delayed by the sheer weight of traffic in the area as they headed to the scene.
Mr Heart said: "The car was fully ablaze when I get here. A police officer told me that as they passed it in their car on the eastbound carriageway, they could heel the heat from the other side of the road.
"It looks like the tarmac is damaged, the car was on fire on the section before the road surface on the bridge turns to concrete."
Mr Heart described the vehicle on fire as a dark coloured saloon car.
Firefighters have now put the fire out and emergency services are attempting to move the car to reopen the road.
In a tweet, Suffolk Constabulary said: "Police and the fire service are currently at the scene of a car on fire, westbound on the A14 just after the Orwell Bridge, before junction 56 for Wherstead.
"Full road closures are currently in both in both directions."
The road closure has resulted in heavy traffic across Ipswich as drivers seek alternative routes. there is heavy traffic in all four directions approaching the Copdock Interchange.
Stay with us for the latest updates from the Orwell bridge.
Video footage via this link
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