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A249 between Maidstone and Sittingbourne shut as Kent fire crews tackle tractor fire

A dual carriageway has reopened after being shut for four hours while crews tackled a tractor fire.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service were called to the A249 near Detling Hill as the blaze initially forced the closure of the Sittingbourne-bound carriageway.

It happened at 11.45am and both carriageways on the A249 were later closed, causing long queues in both directions.

Watch a local resident's video footage of fire

The fire was out at around 1pm and crews then worked to make the road safe following fuel spilling from the tractor.

A tractor had been on fire on the A249 Pic: Matt Walker (6781887)
A tractor had been on fire on the A249 Pic: Matt Walker (6781887)

Trapped northbound traffic was being turned around at Scragged Oak Lane.

A tractor was engulfed in flames (6785758)
A tractor was engulfed in flames (6785758)

Kent Highways said traffic heading southbound was held to allow this to happen safely.

The A249 is shut due to a tractor fire Pic: Stephen Verstraete (6781425)
The A249 is shut due to a tractor fire Pic: Stephen Verstraete (6781425)

The entire A249 was shut from junction 7 of the M20 to junction 5 of the M2.

Traffic is building on the A249. Picture: Highways England (6780079)
Traffic is building on the A249. Picture: Highways England (6780079)

The A249 eventually reopened at 3.45pm.

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