Main North Devon route remains after towed car bursts into flames

A major route into North Devon remains closed this morning (Monday, September 14) after a car being towed by a motorhome burst into flames.

The A399 between Blackmoor Gate and Bratton Fleming is currently closed as emergency services and highway crews deal with a large oil spill at the scene.

Police were called by the fire service at 8.20am today to reports of a vehicle fire on the road, which is a main artery into North Devon from the A361 Link Road as well as heavily used by local commuter traffic.

Devon and Cornwall Police said the incident had involved a motorhome towing a car and the car caught alight.

At statement issued at 11.30am said the A399 remained blocked and was closed at Blackmoor Gate, due to the large oil spill following the incident.

We will update this story with further information as we have it.

Update 11.55am: Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said two appliances from Barnstaple and Lynton fire stations were called to attend a vehicle fire on the road between Friendship Farm and Blackmoor Gate.

Fire crews used breathing apparatus and a hose reel jet to extinguish the fire and an environment pack was used to prevent fuel from entering a nearby stream.

The vehicle and a trailer were both destroyed by fire. The scene has now been handed over to the police and National Highways.