A LORRY carrying a container packed with boxes of whisky caught fire in Greenock last night - causing part of the main road to be closed.
It was travelling westbound on the A8 at 7.15pm when it burst into flames near Ratho Street.
Eyewitnesses say it appeared that the vehicle's brakes may have overheated and set some of its tyres on fire, sending out black, acrid smoke.
As the blaze caught hold it caused a tyre to blow up with a loud bang.
Fire crews rushed to the scene, put out the blaze and offloaded the container's contents.
Police meanwhile closed the road, with traffic diverted up Ratho Street.
Other drivers reportedly saw smoke coming from the brakes before the tyres went on fire, and flashed their lights at the driver to warn him to stop.
No-one was injured during the incident and the road was reopened by 9.30pm.
An onlooker at the scene said: "I think the driver, and everyone else, got a fright when the tyre exploded after he stopped."
VIDEO BY GEORGE MUNRO.
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