A highways team "pulled out all the stops" to repair and reopen a main road through the New Forest in 48 hours after a fire caused significant damage.
The fire involving a horsebox happened early in the morning on Wednesday, October 12 on the A337 between Cadnam and Lyndhurst.
It was reported shortly after 6am.
Horse box fire on A337 owner and animals all fine but please avoid the area as the road will be closed due to damage caused by the incident. pic.twitter.com/RanWb7DJnr
— Redbridge Fire Stn (@Redbridge53) October 12, 2022
Hampshire Highways officers were immediately at the scene to start assessing the extent of the significant heat damage and to make arrangements for an urgent repair.
The team worked through the night Thursday into Friday using specialist equipment to lay a new surface on a 30 metre section and the road was fully re-opened at 2.30am on Friday, October 14.
Executive member for highways at Hampshire County Council, Cllr Nick Adams-King, said: “This was another extraordinary effort by Hampshire Highways to get an important main road reopened, while ensuring the travelling public remained safe.
“The team pulled out all the stops to get things back to normal as soon as possible and I am very grateful to all those involved. Major work was needed to repair this section of road after the horsebox fire.
"The intensity of the fire, as well as spilled oil and diesel caused very significant damage to an extensive stretch of the road.”
Firefighters from Brockenhurst and Redbridge attended the incident along with a specialist water carrier from Eastleigh.
A Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "The driver and the horse were safely away from the vehicle as crews from Brockenhurst and Redbridge arrived on scene.
"A specialist water carrier from Eastleigh Fire Station was also in attendance as firefighters in breathing apparatus used hose reels to stop the fire which destroyed the horsebox.
"Crews liaised with the Highways Agency and local council to ensure the road was made safe and cleaned of oil which had leaked from the vehicle."
The horsebox was destroyed in the blaze.
The A337 was closed both ways from Furzy Lawn Lane to Brockishill Road.
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