A vehicle fire is causing severe delays on the A127 this afternoon. 

The Londonbound carriageway is blocked between the Fortune of War at Laindon and Dunton as a result of the incident. 

Firefighters have been spotted at the scene. 

Essex Fire Service has been contacted for comment.

AA's traffic map says there are delays of at least 21 minutes, with queues stretching several miles back to the Mayflower Retail Park.

Update 2.30pm

One lane on the Londonbound carriageway has now reopened but long queues remain. 

Update 3pm

All lanes are now open and traffic has eased. 

A spokesman for Essex Fire Service said: "We were called to a vehicle fire on the London-bound A127, close to the Fortune of War, today at 1.33pm.

"The vehicle was completely alight but was in a layby.

"Crews from Brentwood and Basildon (two) attended and extinguished the fire by 1.58pm."

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