A LARGE rubbish fire near a caravan site caused the partial closure of a main road.

The fire, in Cuxton near Strood, started about 6.30am on Saturday and Kent Fire and Rescue said it might burn for several days.

The nearby A228 Rochester Road was closed in both directions and smoke reduced visibility on the M2.

The road was, however, reopened later on Saturday when the smoke reduced.

One householder living on the nearby legal caravan site has been temporarily re-homed by Medway Council due to the volume of smoke.

Firefighters said the blaze is burning large piles of rubbish some of which has been paved over.

A spokesman for Strood fire station said: “The rubbish has been there for some time and even spreads under the Tarmac and the fire is spreading underground and working its way down. It’s very difficult conditions down there as it’s almost inaccessible.”

The ground is now very unstable and firemen have cordoned off the area in fear of landslides.

Firefighters have placed hoses at the peak of the pile and are letting water seep through the rubbish to reach the smouldering inside. It is not yet clear how the fire started.