M6 lorry fire LIVE: Hour long delays as HGV catches fire on motorway
Drivers are facing major delays on a busy motorway after all traffic was stopped due to a lorry fire. The incident[1] is on the southbound stretch of the M6 between junction 19 for Knutsford and junction 18 for Middlewich and Holmes Chapel. Cameras showed smoke billowing from a HGV on the motorway as firefighters tackled the blaze.
14:13Tim HanlonImage shows backed-up traffic on busy motorway
Motorists are facing major congestion on the M6 by Knutsford this afternoon with an image showing vehicles backed-up.
A lorry fire has been extinguished by fire crews but one lane remains closed.
Backed-up traffic on the M6 (National Highways )13:57Tim Hanlon
Queues of eight miles on M6 now after lorry fire
Only one lane is now closed southbound on the M6 for the recovery operation but the queue has grown to eight miles. "Lane 2 is now also open on the #M6 southbound between J19 #Knutsford and J18 #Middlewich Lane 1 remains closed awaiting recovery. There is around 8 miles of congestion on approach which is adding about an hour to normal journey time," states National Highways.
13:45Tim HanlonMotorists facing seven miles of congestion after fire
An update from National Highways reads: "Traffic has been released on the #M6 southbound between J19 #Knutsford and J18 #Middlewich Lanes 1 and 2 (of 4) remain closed for recovery and clear-up.
"Delays of around an hour with 7 miles of congestion on approach."
13:44Tim HanlonImage of firefighters tackling fire on M6
FIrefighters could be seen tackling the fire on the southbound section of the motorway.
Smoke can be seen billowing from a HGV with traffic halted.
Smoke billowing from the lorry (National Highways )13:42Tim Hanlon
Hour long delays on M6 after lorry fire
Lanes one and two remain shut of M6.
National Highways says traffic is queuing for around 7 miles up to the incident, with hour-long delays.