A fire in St Albans did not occur here; the incident was a vehicle fire on the A31 in the New Forest that spread to the central reservation. Emergency services were on the scene, and the M27 was closed from Junction 2.
Motorists were told to avoid the area and find an alternative route. That left drivers using both roads with a diversion decision to make as the update was issued.
A31 and the New Forest
The fire broke out on the A31 in the New Forest on the day of the incident. It then spread to the central reservation, widening the affected area beyond the vehicle itself.
The update was a live traffic notice rather than a full incident report, so it gives the road impact but not the cause. It also does not give a reopening time for either route.
M27 at Junction 2
The M27 was closed from Junction 2 after the fire spread. That closure meant the disruption extended beyond the A31 and onto another major route used by drivers in the area.
For anyone travelling through the area, the practical instruction was simple: avoid the roads involved and use another route until further notice. The unresolved point is what started the vehicle fire on the A31.
