RESIDENTS near the A525 in Bangor on Dee have raised their concerns following a lorry fire which resulted in a road closure and clean-up operation.

Fire crews tackled the blaze in Bangor on Dee on Whitchurch Road on Thursday morning (June 29) and the road has remained closed since.

On Friday, Wrexham Council said the A525 would "remain closed until further notice, as there is a possibility of contamination on site” and today (Monday) confirmed the closure was still in place and that a clean-up operation is underway.

A spokesperson said: “Following the incident last week involving an articulated lorry fire at the above location, we can confirm that the road closure will be extended into this week.

“There is currently a team of specialist cleaning contractors removing the contents of the vehicle and associated debris.

“The current road closure diversion will remain in place whilst the highway and verge are cleared and repairs to the highway can be undertaken to enable the safe re-opening of the road.

“May we take this opportunity to thank colleagues in North Wales Fire Service, Natural Resource Wales and the specialist cleaning contractor whose actions have mitigated any environmental and public health concerns in the locality of this incident.”

Cllr Robert Ian Williams has said that residents in his ward have been “deeply distressed and affected” by the incident but said thanks to the fire service and brave local residents there have been no fatalities.

One resident, Ciara Clapperton said that she and her husband Michael were woken up by the sound of “crackling” and what they came to know as aerosol cans exploding which sounded like fireworks.

The lorry was outside their house and they went to check on the driver, who had escaped the vehicle, and check on the animals in the nearby field.

Neighbours were helping to divert traffic while the fire service and police were in the area.

“Then,” Ciara said, “the lorry exploded, blowing myself and my husband off our feet.”

She added: “Part of some debris from the lorry missed us by metres, striking my house. That piece of metal was too heavy for one person to lift.”

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A neighbour's window had also blown out according to Ciara and she added that the roof of the lorry had landed in a field containing four horses. 

Ciara said: “It was lucky that no animals or humans were hurt but the cleanup operation seems to be more impactful than the initial explosion.”

The explosion caught on CCTV by Emral Gardens Caravan Park:

She said residents haven’t been given a “huge amount” of information but that she would like to know “either way” what is and isn't safe.

A spokesperson for Wrexham Council, who are responsible for the clean-up, added: “Specialist cleaning contractors actions have mitigated the environmental or public health concerns in the locality of this incident and our officers will continue to liaise with nearby residents directly to ensure they are provided with help and support. 

"We are working with our partners to bring the incident to a conclusion and re-open the road.”

David Powell, Natural Resources Wales Operations Manager for North East Wales, said: “We are continuing to support and advise Wrexham County Borough Council on the clean-up following the fire involving a heavy good vehicle on Whitchurch Road, Bangor on Dee, in the early hours of Thursday 29 June. 

“NRW officers have been out to check local watercourses to ensure that any environmental impacts are minimised.”

A spokesperson for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service (NWFRS) said that the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

 Hafren Dyfrdwy have been approached for comment.