THE A390 between Tavistock and Gunnislake was closed for three hours last Wednesday, following a fierce fire in a refrigerated meat lorry. The driver of the 12-tonne lorry was forced to abandon his vehicle on a sharp bend near the Harvest Home pub at Gulworthy when he realised it was on fire. Tavistock firefighters used four sets of breathing apparatus and two hose reels to combat the blaze, which started in the engine compartment. Fire chief Tim Smith said: ?The driver saw the flames in his rear mirror ? he?d been fanning the fire as he drove along. The cause for concern was the chemicals in the refrigeration unit.? It took just ten minutes to get the fire under control ? the heat was so intense the road was damaged. The vehicle was carrying beef carcasses and other meat joints for Jaspers of Treburley, near Launceston.
