The road has been closed to traffic

The incident, which has led to the closure of the road, occurred at Ashton corner between Leominster and Ludlow just after 1330 BST on Monday.

Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade say there was an explosion and then a fire which spread to a nearby house.

Police confirmed two people were killed in the collision which involved a milk tanker and a Securicor van.

There was a cottage adjacent to the main A49 which was engulfed in flames Divisional officer Ray Rogers

Fire crews from Bromyard, Leominster, Kingsland and Tenbury Wells attended the scene, while specialist crews were also brought in from Droitwich Spa and Malvern.

The contents of the milk tanker leaked into the water system and the fire service is working with the environment agency to try and minimise the damage.

Divisional officer Ray Rogers, of Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade, said: "It has been extremely challenging.

"The incident involved a milk tanker and a hydraulic unit to do with Securicor. Upon impact there was a very severe fire. The impact trapped the drivers."

He added: "There was a cottage adjacent to the main A49 which was engulfed in flames and there was severe damage done to that."

Mr Rogers said the owner of the cottage was not at home when the fire broke out.

A police spokesman said: "The A49 will be closed for many hours, possibly overnight, and local diversions are in operation."