The Foyle Bridge in Londonderry remained closed to traffic for more than five hours on Thursday after a car caught fire, causing lengthy delays on both sides of the River Foyle. The bridge reopened shortly after 7pm.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said crews were called to the bridge at about 1pm. The fire, believed to have started accidentally, was extinguished and firefighters left at 1:49pm. The driver of the vehicle was uninjured. Police said the bridge was closed on Thursday afternoon to allow recovery of the burnt car and for Department for Infrastructure staff to make the road safe.

The department said officials arrived to remove debris from the carriageway. Police said the incident coincided with an ongoing principal inspection of the bridge, which has included temporary lane closures and a 30mph speed limit since mid-July. Police officers diverted traffic at the Culmore Road and Caw roundabouts during the closure.

Several politicians criticised the length of the closure. SDLP assembly member Mark H Durkan said it left the city at a standstill for half a day. He said police first contacted the department around 1:30pm and that four hours later officials could not say whether anyone was on the way. DUP MP Gregory Campbell said some drivers faced detours of 30 to 35 miles and called for contingency plans for future incidents. People Before Profit councillor Shaun Harkin described the delay as a disgrace and said there should be an explanation about the lack of urgency.

Police announced the bridge had reopened shortly after 7pm.