Delays after firefighters tackle M6 lorry blaze

Drivers are warned of long delays on the M6 after firefighters were called to tackle a lorry blaze on the M6. Our colleagues at Cumbria Road Watch are reporting that there are two lanes closed southbound between Junction 39 at Penrith and Junction 40 at Shap. Traffic is queuing back to Junction 41.

At 6.47pm. Penrith remains gridlocked. Routes through Penrith including the A6 and A66 are also very heavily congested as traffic tries to find an alternative route.

Fire crews from Penrith, Shap, Appleby and Lazonby were called out at around 12,10pm to the fire on the hard shoulder. The fire involved a significant amount of plywood that was being carried in pallets by the vehicle. The fire was well alight on arrival and the crews extinguished the fire and made the area safe.

The driver was out of the vehicle when the crews arrived and was unhurt.

Crews were in attendance for around three hours.