North circular hit by major delays after dramatic lorry blaze

A dramatic lorry fire closed a part of the North Circular and caused major rush hour delays this morning.

About 20 houses were evacuated after the truck caught fire on the dual carriageway near Neasden just before 2am.

Motorists captured the dramatic scenes as the lorry, which was carrying circus equipment, erupted into a blazing inferno.

The driver managed to escape unhurt, and nobody was injured in the fire.

However, the trailer and cab were completely destroyed, with only the shell of the lorry remaining in tact.

Four fire engines were called to the scene and 21 fire fighters brought the blaze under control.

The articulated lorry carrying approximately 20 tons of circus equipment caught fire while parked on the roadside.

A caravan from the circus fleet and two cars parked down the street were also damaged by the fire.

Three gas cylinders were also involved in the fire, and about 30 people were asked to leave neighbouring properties as of precaution, due to fears the cylinders could explode.

One witness, who wished to be known only as Ben, told the Standard: "I live along that stretch of North Circular, on the other side.

"I heard loud bang and explosion sounds around quarter to 2am.

"I looked out our window and saw a lorry on other side of road up in flames - it was stationary.

"I also saw a man who looked like the driver standing not far from it, who then fleed further away to safety after consecutive explosions were heard.