FIREFIGHTERS were alerted to a gas tanker on fire on the A35.

Crews from Bridport and Dorchester raced to the scene yesterday morning.

A spokesman for Bridport Fire Station said: "Both our pumping appliances and our water carrier along with one appliance from Dorchester Fire Station were mobilised to a large vehicle fire on the A35 between Bridport and Dorchester.

"On arrival crews found one articulated lorry transporting liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) with overheating brakes.

"The driver had already extinguished the fire using his onboard fire extinguishers.

"Fire appliances were used to “fend off” the incident to protect crews working in the live carriageway.

"Using one hose reel jet and thermal imaging camera crews cooled the brakes to ensure no reignition. The incident was then left in the hands of the driver to organise repair/recovery."