Dramatic pictures have emerged capturing the moment a bin lorry erupts in flames on a busy County Durham road.

Emergency services have confirmed a bin lorry caught alight on the A689 Westbound near Sedgefield earlier today (January 22).

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CCDFRS) confirmed they received reports of the blaze at 2.25 pm and sent two fire engines from Sedgefield and Newton Aycliffe.

The Northern Echo:

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They confirmed there were no injuries sustained during the incident.

The fire service also confirmed the incident was attended by Durham Police and the Local Authority.

In a statement today, a Durham Police spokesperson confirmed they had attended the scene and assisted in directing traffic.

They said: "Police were alerted shortly after 2.30pm today by the fire service to a bin lorry on fire on the A689 near Sedgefield.

"Officers attended to assist with traffic management of the scene."

Pictures from the scene showed billowing smoke and raging flames coming from the truck on the busy road.

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Residents shared their shock at the scene online and hoped no one had been injured.

One concerned resident said: "My son saw this driving the works wagon, he couldn't get past. Hope nobody was hurt."

Another said: "Blimey, hope all got out and are safe."

While another resident said: "Hope the crew got out safely."

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Meanwhile, a CDDFRS spokesperson said: "We sent an appliance from Sedgefield, they got there and decided they needed a second applicance, which was sent from Newton Aycliffe.

"It was on the A689 road just outside of Sedgefield."

The Northern Echo has contacted Durham County Council for more information on the incident, and they have said the lorry does not belong to them.