FIREFIGHTERS from Newton Abbot have joined in the battle against a blaze in a HGV trailer on the A30 this afternoon, Thursday.

Cars have been warned to avoid the area and residents told to close their windows as a plume of smoke has been reported coming from the trailer of electrical waste.

A Fire Control spokesperson said: ‘We were called at 11:53 to a large vehicle fire – an HGV – just by the Alphington roundabout (between A30 and A377) in Exeter.

‘The cab has been detached from the trailer. The trailer contains electrical waste.

‘There is a smoke plume and we’re advising local residents to stay out of the smoke and close their windows.

‘The smoke is not currently affecting the A30 but there is heavy traffic due to the incident. The police and highways are on scene to support with traffic flow.

‘We have crews from Danes Castle, Middlemoor and Newton Abbot, along with a water bowser from Danes Castle and aerial appliance from Danes.

‘We’re firefighting with two breathing apparatus and one main jet, and using one fog spike.’

Update at 15:08 – ‘Steady progress is being made using the aerial apppliance as a water tower. One breathing apparatus is in use and we have an environmental protection unit working to block up drains to reduce the environmental impact.

‘There is heavy traffic in the area so please avoid.’

The incident is ongoing.