Gutted: the lorry destroyed in last night's fire on the A9 at Aviemore
A TRUCK burst into flames last night and closed the A9 in both directions by Aviemore as the emergency services fought to bring the blaze under control.
The incident happened between the Lynwilg and Granish junctions and the flames could be seen from neighbouring properties at High Burnside. Two fire appliances attended.
Neighbour Douglas Graham told the Strathy: “I had taken the bins up late and noticed a lorry sitting in the layby with its headlights on.
“Another commercial vehicle heading south stopped and reversed back, so can only assume he saw a small fire in the lorry.
“Then I heard a bang, which sounded like a tyre blow-out. By the time I was back in the house, more traffic had joined the queue.
“The first fire engine soon arrived, but the fire took hold and it wasn’t long till the flames were above the tree-line. It was burning for a good hour and a half before it died down.
“It was interesting to see a whole train of articulated lorries backing up the A9 towards the Granish junction. There was one lorry that managed a 39-point turn!”
A police spokesperson said: “Officers assisted the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service with traffic management and the road was closed with a local diversion put in place. No-one was injured.”
