A southbound lane of the AP-7 motorway reopened near Castellet i la Gornal on Monday night after a major fire involving two lorries forced closures in both directions. This incident caused significant traffic disruption on a critical route in Barcelona province, affecting travel for many residents and tourists.
The fire started after a lateral collision between two vehicles, one of which was transporting sprays. This impact caused the vehicles to ignite, and flames then spread to the vegetation along the roadside. The Servei Català de Trànsit (SCT) confirmed the reopening of the southbound lane in a statement.
The northbound carriageway of the AP-7 remains closed to traffic. This closure has led to 3-kilometre traffic queues in the affected area. Authorities advise drivers to use alternative routes such as the N-340 or the C-32 to avoid substantial delays.
The Sistema d'Emergències Mèdiques (SEM) attended to the two lorry drivers involved in the crash. Both drivers were uninjured and did not require hospital transport, according to the SEM. The Bombers de la Generalitat deployed 15 fire crews to extinguish the blaze. They stated on 'X' that the fire produced a large column of smoke, visible from several kilometres away across the region.
Emergency Response and Traffic Advice
The incident prompted authorities to activate the Transcat plan in its alert phase. This special emergency plan addresses accidents involving the transport of dangerous goods by road and rail across Catalonia. The 112 emergency telephone service received approximately 60 calls reporting the intense fire. Emergency services continue to work at the scene to manage the situation.
Castellet i la Gornal is a municipality in the Alt Penedès comarca of Barcelona province. The AP-7 is a vital motorway connecting Barcelona to southern Spain, serving as a primary artery for commercial and leisure traffic. This closure significantly impacts residents and tourists travelling between Barcelona and areas like Tarragona or Valencia. Drivers should check current traffic conditions before starting their journeys.
Emergency crews are working to clear the northbound carriageway and fully restore traffic flow on the AP-7. Travellers should monitor official traffic updates from the Servei Català de Trànsit for the latest information on road conditions and expected reopening times.
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Originally published by Europa Press Barcelona. Read original article.
