Large lorry fire closes A465 Heads of the Valleys Road

Image caption, The lorry was carrying tyres which then caught fire

A major road in south Wales is expected to remain closed overnight after a lorry carrying tyres caught fire.

The A465 Heads of the Valleys road is shut to traffic from Dowlais Top to Cefn Coed in Merthyr Tydfil while fire crews tend to the blaze.

The fire was reported at just before 16:00 BST on Wednesday and smoke could be seen for miles around.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the road would remain closed until Thursday morning.

The nearby Pant Industrial Estate is also closed to traffic, police said.

An excavation vehicle has been called in to move tyres away from the lorry to make it easier for two fire crews to tackle the flames.

In a separate incident, a crash involving a motorcyclist has led to hold-ups on the nearby A470.

Police shut the road between the Abercanaid roundabout, Merthyr Tydfil, and Abercynon roundabout, Rhondda Cynon Taff, while an air ambulance was called to the scene.

Image source, Dean Richards

Image caption, The fire was on the Heads of the Valleys road
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Image caption, Five crews have been sent to the blaze

Image source, Clare Davies

Image caption, Black smoke from the fire can be seen across Merthyr Tydfil

Image source, South Wales Police

Image caption, The latest images from South Wales Police appear to show significantly less flames and smoke