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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Fionnuala Boyle

Lorry engulfed in flames on M74 as crews battle 'terrifying' blaze

Dramatic images have shown the moment a lorry burst into flames on the M74.

Emergency crews rushed to the scene of the blaze, which took place at junction 4 at Maryville around 3.15pm on Monday May 16.

Photos show a plume of thick, black smoke billowing from the HGV as it is engulfed by the inferno.

Further images show the burnt out vehicle once the fire has subsided, with firefighters armed with breathing apparatus and hoses tending to the charred remains.

Mercy crews raced to the scene (Gemma Elizabeth Divers)

One eyewitness, who lives around 40 metres from the edge of the motorway, told the Record that she thought "a gun had gone off" as the noise from the blast was so loud.

Gemma Elizabeth Divers said: "I was working from home and I heard a faint popping noise and then the loudest explosion I've ever heard.

"I genuinely thought someone had fired a gun.

"When I turned around to look at the motorway, all I could see was the HGV up in flames.

"It was terrifying to see."

The incident also caused significant delays to drivers on the busy motorway, with Traffic Scotland reporting a wait of at least 20 minutes for those travelling southbound.

Firefighters tending to the charred remains of the vehicle (@tmcglad36 on Twitter)

No one was injured in the blaze.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "We were called at around 3:15pm to numerous reports of a lorry on fire just before Bothwell services at junction 4 Maryville.

"We mobilised three fire appliances to the scene.

"The fire was extinguished and there were no reported casualties."

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