A car has burst into flames on the Orwell Bridge, closing the highway until a section of the A14 can be repaired.

Ipswich Star: Dramatic scenes on the A14 at about 3.15pm on Thursday Picture: RYAN HEARTDramatic scenes on the A14 at about 3.15pm on Thursday Picture: RYAN HEART

The fire started about 3.15pm today, November 21, between the Nacton Interchange and the Wherstead Interchange as the bridge goes over the B1456.

A spokesman for Suffolk Fire and Rescue said there were no injuries reported from the scene.

Ipswich Star: Dramatic scenes on the A14 as a car burst in flames at around 3:15pm today Picture: RYAN HEARTDramatic scenes on the A14 as a car burst in flames at around 3:15pm today Picture: RYAN HEART

According to an eyewitness on the bridge, Ryan Heart, two people were seen standing with officers as the car burned.

Police closed the road in both directions as black smoke from the burning car was covering both sides of the road, but the eastbound carriageway has now reopened.

Traffic stuck in the westbound road closure has now been released and one lane of the westbound carrigeway has been opened to ease congestion, but Highways England have said the damage to the surface from the fire will require repair work.

Fire crews were delayed by the sheer weight of traffic in the area as they headed to the scene.

Ipswich Star: Dramatic scenes on the A14 as a car burst in flames at around 3:15pm today Picture: RYAN HEARTDramatic scenes on the A14 as a car burst in flames at around 3:15pm today Picture: RYAN HEART

Mr Heart said: "The car was fully ablaze when I got here. A police officer told me that as they passed it in their car on the eastbound carriageway, they could feel the heat from the other side of the road.

"It looks like the tarmac is damaged, the car was on fire on the section before the road surface on the bridge turns to concrete."

Ipswich Star: Dramatic scenes on the A14 as a car burst in flames at around 3:15pm today Picture: RYAN HEARTDramatic scenes on the A14 as a car burst in flames at around 3:15pm today Picture: RYAN HEART

Firefighters have now put the fire out.

Mr Heart described the vehicle on fire as a dark coloured saloon car.

In a tweet, Suffolk Constabulary said: "Police and the fire service are currently at the scene of a car on fire, westbound on the A14 just after the Orwell Bridge, before junction 56 for Wherstead.

"Full road closures are currently in both in both directions."

The road closure has resulted in heavy traffic across Ipswich as drivers seek alternative routes. There is heavy traffic in all four directions approaching the Copdock Interchange.

Stay with us for the latest updates from the Orwell bridge.