Commuters encountered significant delays this morning due to the closure of a major road caused by a lorry fire. The eastbound section of the A2 was shut down from Gravesend to the M2 link near Rochester for several hours, leading to extensive diversions and increased travel times during peak hours.

The National Highways reported that the severity of the fire prevented vehicles from passing the affected lorry. Both the Kent Fire and Rescue Service and Kent Police were present at the scene, resulting in an extended closure period for the A2.

Currently, one lane has been reopened on the A2 in Kent, with ongoing vehicle recovery and cleanup operations. Kent Police and Kent Fire and Rescue Service are yet to provide official comments on the incident, but updates are expected later.

The extent of any injuries from the fire remains unclear. The National Highways advised drivers to allocate extra time for their journeys and highlighted the challenges faced by vehicles stuck behind the closure due to the blaze.

The A2 serves as a crucial route to and from London into Kent, connecting with the M2 near Rochester. The incident is affecting traffic leaving London for northern and eastern parts of Kent. As the cleanup progresses, evening commuters heading out of the capital could experience prolonged travel times.

Social media posts have captured images of the fire, showing flames engulfing the lorry on the A2 near Rochester. Emergency services have closed other lanes to facilitate their operations, leading to lengthy queues reported by stranded motorists.

Authorities have implemented diversions for eastbound A2 traffic, as the road is anticipated to remain closed for several hours following the lorry fire near the M2 link in Rochester. National Highways has cautioned drivers to anticipate delays and stay updated on the situation.

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