Two lorries spectacularly burst into flames in a crash on the A92 in Fife.
The LGVs collided as traffic came to a standstill on the dual carriageway due to a an earlier accident involving another lorry and a car.
Plumes of black smoke from the fireball could be seen from miles around and from the other side of the Forth.
No one was seriously hurt but one of the lorry drivers was treated by paramedics at the scene and taken to Kirkcaldy’s Victoria Hospital to be checked over.
Police urged people to avoid the area amid the drama which occurred on the near the Lochgelly interchange at around 9.35am on Wednesday.
Both sides of the busy dual carriageway were closed, causing chaos for motorists, while emergency services dealt with the incident.
A small section of the westbound carriageway will remain closed overnight for repairs to the road surface, which sustained significant damage. It is due to reopen before the morning rush hour.
That's a lot of smoke we can see from the back of the office. Hope nothing serious happening in Fife. pic.twitter.com/ZQKaAUidGM
— Donald Anderson (@DA_Anderson) April 20, 2016
Four fire appliances rushed to the scene, supported by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s heavy rescue unit from Alloa.
A spokesperson said: “SFRS crews from Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes and Dunfermline raced to the A92, Kirkcaldy to Lochgelly, after being alerted at 9.49am.
“They targeted the fire with a water jet and put out the main body of the fire by 11am, with the fire fully extinguished by 11.30am.
“A male casualty was treated at the scene by ambulance personnel and taken to Victoria Hospital for further checks.”
Environment agency SEPA was also drafted in due to the heavy volume of smoke.
A spokesman said: “The fire has resulted in a plume of smoke, and we are in contact with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to provide advice as required.”
One motorist who passed the scene before the eastbound carriageway closed said the fire looked horrendous.
She told The Courier: “I had the windows closed but I could actually feel the heat from the flames.”
BEAR Scotland said the westbound carriageway remained closed after recovery of the lorries to allow repairs.
A spokesman said: “Inspections completed following the incident have revealed significant damage to the road surface which requires repair prior to the road being re-opened.”
Traffic was diverted via the B9149 Lochgelly on and off slips.
