PART of the A27 is closed after a tractor and its haybales caught fire on a roundabout.

The blaze broke out around 10.30am on the A27 Chichester Bypass on the Portfield roundabout.

At least one fire engine is in attendance, while police have also helped close off the road.

Hay can be seen spread across the road as well as large plumes of grey smoke. Chichester Police said the road will be closed for at least four hours.

The Argus: Clean up and damping down the fire is taking place currentlyClean up and damping down the fire is taking place currently

A West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “We were called at 10.31am to a hay bale fire on a trailer which was being pulled by a tractor in Chichester.

"Crews from Bognor Regis, Chichester and Selsey are all on scene and Fire Fighters are using breathing apparatus and compressed air foam to put the fire out.

"Due to where the fire is taking place, the A27 is closed eastbound between the Bognor Bridge Roundabout and Portfield Roundabout, so we are asking people to avoid the area as the road will be closed for some considerable time.

The Argus: Police said the road will be closed for at least four hoursPolice said the road will be closed for at least four hours

"We are also warning households in the area to keep windows and doors closed where possible.”

A Chichester Police spokesman said: "The A27 around the Portfield Roundabout, Chichester, is expected to be closed for at least four hours in both directions.

"A tractor towing hay bales is alight and the smoke is causing poor visibility for other road users. We will update you when the road reopens."

The road was reopened at 2pm.

This morning, a leisure centre also caught fire in Crawley requiring ten fire engines to keep it under control.

While yesterday, Seaford Head Golf Course saw a fire of nearly five acres in an area of bush which required four fire engines.