Rubbish in dustcart catches fire

The Sita waste disposal lorry was carrying six tonnes of refuse.

It pulled over on the A267 at 3pm, opposite Hellingly Village Hall, and a fire engine from Hailsham rushed to the scene.

Specialist engineers were called out from Sita.

The burning rubbish was hauled out of the lorry and onto the road to damp down.

A passer-by saw the scene at 7.15pm.

She said: 'There was a large pile of nasty-looking debris still smouldering and there was water all over the road.'

A water main burst after a hydrant was shut down by firefighters.

A spokesman for South East Water said: 'Sometimes you get a burst in the mains if there is a slight weakness there.

'The water was left running to ensure five properties were supplied.'

The water main was shut at 9.30pm and repaired with normal supply at 12.30am.

Fire services left the scene at 9pm.

The road was not closed and no one was injured.