One lane of the eastbound carriageway on the A14 was reopened early this morning after a lorry fire, near Bury St Edmunds.

East Anglian Daily Times: Four fire engines attended the scene of the incident, near junction 43 for Bury St Edmunds central Picture: HIGHWAYS ENGLANDFour fire engines attended the scene of the incident, near junction 43 for Bury St Edmunds central Picture: HIGHWAYS ENGLAND (Image: HIGHWAYS ENGLAND)

The crash, between junction 42 and 43, caused mass tailbacks on the A14 and traffic congestion in and around the town centre.

The westbound carriageway reopened just after 4pm but part of the eastbound carriageway had to be resurfaced after 500 litres of fuel spilled on the road.

Around 40 metres of barrier on the eastbound carriageway was also damaged in the incident.

WATCH: Fireball engulfs lorry after A14 crash

East Anglian Daily Times: Traffic queuing on the A14 eastbound near Bury St Edmunds Picture: HIGHWAYS ENGLANDTraffic queuing on the A14 eastbound near Bury St Edmunds Picture: HIGHWAYS ENGLAND (Image: HIGHWAYS ENGLAND)

Suffolk police were first called to junction 43 of the A14 at 1.50pm yesterday after reports of a HGV on fire.

Four fire engines arrived soon after to tackle the flames, two from Bury, one from Haverhill and one from Ixworth.

Hose reels were used to douse the flames.

The driver of the HGV received first aid at the scene and the lorry was reportedly empty.

This morning Highways England said one lane on the eastbound carriageway reopened just before 6am

However, the other lane remains closed for ongoning repairs.