An East Devon westbound stretch of the A30 is closed this morning as recovery and clean-up takes place following a fire which completely destroyed a bus.

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)

On Saturday, March 10, at around 12.30pm Devon and Cornwall Police reported closure of in both directions of the A30, near Fairmile, due to a coach fire.

Footage filmed by Victoria Burgoyne captured the chaos, which caused long traffic delays, as thick black smoke covered the carriageway, making driving conditions dangerous.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue sent numerous crews to tackle the blaze, however the bus was completely destroyed after suffering ‘100 per cent damage’.

An eye-catching image taken on Saturday by Nicola Clare-Weller shows the extent of the fire, with the vehicle’s burnt-out shell silhouetted against the sky.

Emergency services remained at the scene throughout the night and Highways England reported this morning that recovery of the coach had been completed.

However, the A30 Westbound remains closed between the B3177 Fenny Bridges and the B3180 Strete Ralegh while clean-up and inspection of the carriageway takes place.

Police have advised that the road may still be closed for a number of days.

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