All the major roads around Huntingdon were gridlocked at rush-hour this morning after a van fire on the A14 near Alconbury.

The incident happened just after 6am and caused huge tailbacks on the Al/M at Sawtry and the A14 at Spittals. The driver of the van is not believed to have suffered any injury. Police were called at 6.18am to reports of a van on fire on the eastbound carriageway of the A14 between junction 21 and 22.

Police closed the eastbound carriageway of the Spur Road between Junction 14 of the A1/M and Junction 23 of the A14.

The fire service were called at 6.17am and two crews from Huntingdon attended the scene. Four fire-fighters, wearing breathing apparatus, used two hose reels to extinguish the fire, involving a Mercedes Sprinter van. Fire-fighters also worked with UK Power Networks to inspect a nearby electricity pit to ensure voltage cables were not affected by the fire.

Crews had returned to their stations by 9am and say the cause of the fire was accidental.