UPDATE: 11.13 am

THE fire crews that were tackling the fire on the A449 have left the scene after extinguishing the blaze.

A spokeswoman from the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed that the van has been made safe.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ONE lane of the A449 southbound is currently closed due following a vehicle, which was carrying wooden chairs and tables, caught fire.

Fire crews from Maindee and Usk responded to the incident at just before 10.10am, and the incident has caused heavy traffic close to Celtic Manor.

The closed section of the A449 from the A472 Usk Interchange and junction 24 of the M4.

Firefighters used hosereels and breathing apparatus to help bring the blaze under control, and a spokeswoman from the South Wales Fire and Rescue has described a van carrying wooden chairs and table as ‘well alight’.