THE N11 was blocked off to traffic on Thursday night after a 40-foot container loaded with flammable material caught fire. Gardai quickly sealed off the dual carriageway as three fire services patrols rushed to the scene to try and contain the flames. The incident occurred past the turnoff for Newtownmountkennedy.

The trailer was attached to a truck heading northbound but the southbound dual carriageway had to be shut as well because of the dangers from flying debris and smoke blowing across the road.

During the height of the massive blaze explosions sent debris flying into the air. It's understood that the container was carrying plastic sheeting, aluminium and some liquid stored in plastic containers. The container was being driven to Dublin when another motorist managed to alert the driver to the fact that there was a fire in the container. The driver was then able to pull over into the hard shoulder and unhitch the trailer from the vehicle.

Up to 15 emergency vehicles raced the scene as members of the fire services battled the flames for over two hours before managing to contain it. Foam guns were also used to try and quell the flames.

The container was still smouldering away three hours after the fire started.

The blaze took hold quickly, with a series of explosions sending debris hurtling across the road, some ending up on the southbound carriageway.

No one was injured and Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire, which didn't present a health risk despite the materials on board the container.

The incident caused major disruption for motorists, with huge tailbacks north and southbound. Later that night the gardai were able to open back up the southbound carriageway to traffic.

- Myles BUCHANAN