A CARAVAN has been "deliberately" set on fire in south Essex which caused the A127 to close. 

Last night, emergency services were called to the Fairglen Interchange Eastbound at around 8:22pm.

This followed reports of a caravan on fire. 

Essex Police closed the A127 whilst Essex Fire dealt with the blaze and as a result drivers were stuck on the major road for almost two hours. 

Essex Fire has since confirmed the fire has been recorded as deliberate, and the scene was left with the police. 

A spokesman for Essex Fire said: "Firefighters were called to A127 Fairglen Interchange Eastbound at 8.22pm to reports of a caravan fire.

"Crews from Basildon and Rayleigh used hose reel jets to extinguish the fire by 9.23pm.

"The cause of the fire has been recorded as deliberate. The scene was left with the Police."

Essex Police has been contacted for comment by the Echo.