Major motorway closed as vehicle erupts into fireball after horror crash

The M6 has closed in part following a "serious collision[1] and vehicle fire[2]", National Highways has confirmed. The major motorway[3] was closed in both directions between J27 Standish and J28 Leyland, before the southbound closure was "stood down". The northbound section remains close as emergency services attend the scene.

Traffic has been stopped since around 10:50am, according to the traffic alert service Inrix. One social media user posted an image of the scene on the M6 showing the fire.

13:00KEY EVENT

Cops issue stark warning to drivers

Lancashire Police have issued a stark warning to drivers going past the site of the collision, insisting those who film will be prosecuted. "We would ask that people in moving traffic do not film from their vehicles," police said. "Two people have already been seen doing this, and we will look to prosecute them in due course."

12:51Benjamin Lynch

Public urged to find alternative routes

Police have urged the public to find alternative routes as the "carriageway could be closed for several hours".

"Please find alternative routes if you can," said cops.

12:48Benjamin Lynch

'Serious injuries' to driver - police

In a further update shared on Facebook, police said one of the drivers was left with "serious injuries". Lancashire Police said: "The Northbound carriageway of the M6 has been closed just after Charnock Richard services. T"his is due to a collision between a van and a stationary skip wagon which has left one of the drivers with some really serious injuries.

"We know that this closure will have a significant impact on motorists, however our officers are working as quickly as they can at the scene to get the carriageway back open."

12:30Benjamin Lynch

Big delays on the M6

Traffic is backed-up on the M6 amid big delays. AA Traffic News says there are now 100-minute delays on the M6 northbound following the incident.

Traffic backed-up on the M6 (Highways Agency)12:28Benjamin Lynch

Social media post shows image of fire

A social media post appears to show a vehicle on fire next to a lorry.

Fire M6 northbound near Charnock Richard Service. Northbound closed. #TrafficAlert #M6 pic.twitter.com/1DN44xSjFC[4][5][6]

-- Roy Lynch (@RoyLynch) July 18, 2025[7] 12:22Benjamin Lynch

Full statement from Lancashire Constabulary

In a statement from Lancashire Constabulary, police said: "We received a report of a collision between a van and a stationary skip wagon at 10:45am today on the M6 Northbound carriageway, just after Charnock Richard services.

"The motorway is currently blocked between J28 (Leyland) and J27 (Standish) whilst emergency services attend the scene." "A man is being treated at the scene by the ambulance service."

The M6 northbound remains blocked (Highways Agency)12:21Benjamin Lynch

Van and 'stationary skip wagon' collide

Police in Lancashire said it received reports of a "collision between a van and a stationary skip wagon at 10:45am".

12:20KEY EVENT

Man treated at the scene

Police have confirmed a man is being treated at the scene. Police are still in attendance.

The incident is causing 'severe delays' (Highways Agency)12:07KEY EVENT

Closure update - National Highways

The M6 is no longer closed in both directions following the collision, National Highways has confirmed.

In an update, the body said the "southbound closure has been stood down" but the northbound closure remains in place.

12:00Benjamin Lynch

Emergency services in attendance

Police, National Highways traffic officers and the North West Ambulance Service are all attending the scene.

11:53Benjamin Lynch

M6 closed

The M6 is closed in both directions between J27 Standish and J28 Leyland.

This is due to a "serious collision and vehicle fire" National Highways said.

References

1. ^ collision (www.mirror.co.uk)
2. ^ fire (www.mirror.co.uk)
3. ^ motorway (www.mirror.co.uk)
4. ^ #TrafficAlert (twitter.com)
5. ^ #M6 (twitter.com)
6. ^ pic.twitter.com/1DN44xSjFC (t.co)
7. ^ July 18, 2025 (twitter.com)