A9 closed in both directions after lorry bursts into flames

The A9 has been closed in both directions after a lorry burst into flames.

Emergency services received reports of the vehicle fire south of Dunkeld, in Perth and Kinross, at about 06:21.

Three fire engines were at the scene and there were no reported injuries. Diversions were in place with motorists asked to avoid the area.

Dramatic images from the major road show the lorry engulfed in flames, with huge plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky.

Aaron Wallen, from Inverness, said he was heading to Glasgow for a concert when he was caught up in the tailback.

He said he pulled over to the side of the road as emergency service vehicles "rushed past".

Wallen said the flames were "as high as I've ever seen them".

He said: "I stood on the verge and you could see this lorry trailer just engulfed in smoke and there was fire right across the road to the other side.

"It had caught the grass on the right and left hand sides, it looked a terrible mess."

He said a few people rushed towards the vehicle to make sure the driver had escaped.

He said: "From what I heard, the driver got out OK.

"The guys who were there were saying it was the tyre that caught fire at the very back of the lorry.

"You could see the whole trailer at the back, it was almost like it exploded."

HGV driver and retained firefighter Chris Brown, who had been driving to Perth, said he had been stuck in traffic for almost four hours.

He said: "We've been sitting here just watching fire engines going back and forward past us all morning."

He said it looked like the fire crews were damping down the lorry in case it reignited.

He said: "It looks like it's still smouldering. It looks like (the lorry has) a walking floor trailer, so it could be rubbish that's burning."

Brown said he had not been given a timescale when he might be on the move again.

He said: "It could be a long time yet.

"They're trying to set something up for us, but they just don't know what's happening at the moment."

Eyewitness Eucharia Amarachi Innocent-Anunobi told BBC Scotland she had been "stuck" on a bus near the scene since about 06:50, but has now been diverted through Bankfoot.

She said: "At first there were no police but lots of police and fire engines have now arrived.

"Police officers approached our coach and said the road would be closed all day because of the level of damage the fire caused."

She said the bus had been diverted through Bankfoot, where there was now very heavy traffic.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland confirmed the road was closed in both directions and diversions are in place.