A TWENTY-FOOT wall of fire stopped traffic in its tracks after contractors severed a gas main.
Firefighters were called to the A38 at Kempsey, on Saturday, to be met by flames in the road.
"Contractors had cut through part of the gas main and re-sealed the road without realising," said Sub Officer Steve Mabelson, of Worcester's White Watch.
Leaking
"They'd then cut through the road using a disc cutter, which caused a spark and ignited the leaking gas.
"This had permeated through the earth to around 20 feet.
"We had to wait for Transco to arrive before we could extinguish the flame as it was an indication of where the leak was."
Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade used two dry powder extinguishers to put out flames around 11am.
Transco had to dig up the road and repair the leak and traffic lights were set up to help the flow of traffic.
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