Lion bars lorry engulfed by fire on A2 near Bluewater Published duration 20 July 2017

image copyright Highways england image caption A lorry was engulfed in flames near Bluewater

Motorists faced hours of delays after a lorry carrying chocolate bars was engulfed by flames on the A2 at Bluewater, Kent.

At one point, three of the four London-bound lanes were closed after the lorry and much of its cargo was destroyed.

The lorry was carrying 25 tonnes of Lion bars, a Nestle spokeswoman said.

A crash between the junctions for Gravesend West and Gravesend Central also added to the congestion throughout the morning.

image copyright Highways England image caption Traffic was disrupted for several hours after the fire

image copyright Highways England image caption The cargo was damaged in the blaze

The driver of the lorry was not injured, Nestle said.

Firefighters worked throughout the morning removing the remains of the chocolate bars so the vehicle could be moved.

Traffic has returned to normal.

image copyright Daniel Spinks image caption Firefighters remove chocolate cargo to clear the carriageway

image copyright HIghways England image caption Emergency services remained at the scene throughout the morning

image copyright Kent Police RPU image caption The fire caused hours of delays