A FIRE has erupted at a UK race track – with black smoke billowing from the paddock ahead of the World Rallycross Championship this weekend.
Video shared on social media showed the blaze engulfing several cars at the Lydden Race Circuit near Canterbury in Kent.
Five fire engines and crews wearing special breathing kit are now tackling the vehicle fire.
A clip shared online showed smoke billowing from a lorry in the track paddock – with locals told to shut their windows.
The mile-long circuit has been branded “The Home of Rallycross” – and is the shortest road-racing circuit in Britain.
The track is due to host the massive FIA World Rallycross Championship this weekend.
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A spokesman confirmed that the fire broke out in the Special ONE Racing team area of the track.
KentOnline reports that one of the cars is thought to belong to Special ONE driver and nine-time world champion Sébastien Loeb.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service said: “People near to Lydden Hill, in Wootton, Canterbury, are advised to close windows and doors due to smoke coming from a vehicle fire.
“Five fire engines are in attendance at a commercial premises, where crews wearing breathing apparatus are using main jets and compressed air foam to extinguish a fire involving several vehicles.”
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“If you’re travelling on the A2 near to incident, please take care as the smoke may impact visibility.
“Please share this advice with anyone in the affected area who may not have access to social media. Thank you.”
The FIA World Rallycross Championship said: “A fire broke out in the Special ONE Racing team area at Lydden Hill this morning ahead of the FIA World Rallycross Championship event at the track.
“Fire crews are on-site. The venue is not open to the public today and no injuries have been reported.
“Further updates will be communicated as we continue to assess and monitor the situation.”
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
