A BUSY road between Taunton and Ilminster was after a lorry carrying milk caught on fire. 

Emergency services were called to the scene near Hatch Beauchamp at around 11.40am this morning (August 31)

The road was closed in both directions between Hatch Beauchamp and Ashill while the lorry, carrying 14,000 litres of milk, was extinguished. 

Fire engines from Taunton were also called to incident which saw the cab of the lorry completely destroyed.

A spokesman for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said: "On arrival the officer in charge confirmed the vehicle was well alight and requested the attendance of the environmental protection unit and a water bowser to assist at this incident.

"Fire control actioned this request and mobilised the environment protection unit from Taunton and the water bowser from Bridgwater to assist at this incident.

"The crews got to work using breathing apparatus, hose reel jets and a main jet to extinguish the fire. The officer in charge requested the attendance of the police for traffic management.

"The cab of the tanker was completely destroyed by the fire and minor damage to the tank carrying 14,000 litres of milk."

The cause of the fire was deemed to have started accidentally.

RELATED: Click here for more traffic updates

The road has since reopened, with traffic returning to normal for cars heading northbound towards Taunton. There are still delays for southbound traffic heading towards Southfields roundabout and A303.