Footage has emerged of black smoke and flames spilling out of a coach that caught fire on an East Devon stretch of the A30 earlier today.

Sidmouth Herald: A coach fire caused traffic chaos on the A30, near Ottery St Mary. Picture by Victoria Burgoyne.A coach fire caused traffic chaos on the A30, near Ottery St Mary. Picture by Victoria Burgoyne. (Image: Archant)

Filmed by Victoria Burgoyne, the footage shows cars slowing as they approach a plume of thick, black smoke, coming from the stricken vehicle.

At around lunchtime today, Devon and Cornwall Police reported a coach fire had closed the A30, near Fairmile, in both directions.

The incident took place between the B3174 Exeter Road / B3180 (Daisy Mount Cross) and the A35 Exeter Road.

Highways England later tweeted to report the westbound lanes had reopened, but still with one lane closure in place, and warned road users to expect ‘long delays’.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue were called to the scene, sending crews from Ottery St Mary, Topsham and a water carrier form Danes Castle.

Finding the vehicle ‘well alight’, the officer in charge requested two more fire engines, from Honiton and Danes Castle, as well as Devon and Cornwall Police to assist with traffic control.

Sidmouth Herald: A coach fire caused traffic chaos on the A30, near Ottery St Mary. Picture by Victoria Burgoyne.A coach fire caused traffic chaos on the A30, near Ottery St Mary. Picture by Victoria Burgoyne. (Image: Archant)

Crews successfully extinguished the fire, which caused ‘100% damage’ to the bus. The fire service remained at the scene for scene safety and to prevent fuel entering water courses.

Further details of this incident will be provided as and when we get them.