M6 fire LIVE: Blaze engulfs double decker coach on major UK motorway near Wembley

Dramatic footage has captured the moment a coach appears to be burning on the side of the road as football fans descend on Wembley. According to drivers on the M6, a bus is currently engulfed by flames near Coleshill Parkway in Birmingham. It is reported the bus is travelling to Wembley this afternoon ahead of the Arsenal and Manchester City match which kicks off at 4.30pm today (Sunday).

18:43Joe Smith

Road fully reopened following fire

With the road opened again and traffic flowing freely, we are going to end our live coverage of this event.

M6TOLL CLEAR

Further to the earlier coach fire the M6toll has now fully reopened.

-- M6toll (@M6tollRoad) March 22, 2026[1]18:09Joe Smith

'Just a blackened shell'

One supporter, who was stuck on another coach behind the inferno, said: "We have just started moving after a one-and-a-half hour wait "The burnt out coach was just a blackened shell, but no one hurt. We were already running late as coaches arrived late at the Etihad, so no service stops all the way to London.

There is a tiny loo on our coach for number ones only."

17:37Joe Smith

Road open

The M6 toll has now opened following the earlier fire. Some residual traffic remains.

17:04Joe Smith

'Looks like we'll miss the game'

As the Man City match kicked off at Wemble fans have taken to social media in the last few hours fearful of missing the match.

16:30Joe Smith

Israel reports new strikes of weapons storage and factories

The Israeli military has struck a weapons production and storage facility and an Iranian military base in overnight strikes. In a message on Telegram, the IDF said that overnight they "targeted sites used by security bodies subordinate to the Iranian regime for the production and storage of weapons".

Weapons production facilities used by both Iran's defence ministry and the Revolutionary Guard's air force were targeted, the statement said.

16:23Joe Smith

Closure remains on the M6 Toll

A spokesperson said: "The M6 Toll remains closed southbound between T3 and T2 following an earlier coach fire. "The closure will remain until vehicle recovery is complete. Apologies to any customers affected by this closure.

"We will let you know when the carriageway reopens."

15:25Joe Smith

'Slowly engulfed'

A fan who was on board the coach has described the moment it burst into flames. He said: "It started off as our coach was smoking at the toll station. After we headed through we slowed down a lot.

"None of us had any idea what was going on. Our driver pulled us over to the hard shoulder and we were driving on there for five minutes until eventually stopping. "After we stoped a big plume of smoke came out the engine and we all went off the coach.

After that the engine kept on deteriorating as it set fire. The coach then was slowly engulfed in flames. "Fire brigade arrived and managed to deescalate the situation.

We are all fine now and are on the way to Wembley."

14:52Olivia Bridge

Football fans stuck in gridlock traffic

(@larty70/X)

Another image shared on social media shows the extent of the tailbacks on the M6 this afternoon while emergency services battled a huge coach fire. Thick black plumes of smoke could be seen billowing into the air while the coach, said to be transporting Manchester City fans to Wembley ahead of the match today, was engulfed by flames. The bus later appeared charred and burnt down to the frame after firefighters successfully extinguished the inferno.

The coach company has also confirmed all its passengers managed to evacuate the vehicle. However, fans eager to get to the capital before kick-off at 4.30pm could be severely delayed.

14:42Olivia Bridge

Vehicle fire extinguished with traffic permitted to flow

National Highways West Midlands say the M6 Toll in Warwickshire remains closed southbound between T4 and T2. Traffic caught in the closure has been able to pass the scene of the incident..

"The vehicle has now been extinguished. A recovery and clear-up operation will be taking place this afternoon. Allow extra journey time."

14:02Olivia Bridge

'Kick off should be delayed'

Football fans are hoping kick off will be delayed later this afternoon with thousands of Manchester City fans stuck in a major traffic jam on the M6.

The Carabao Cup final today will see Arsenal face off against Man City in the capital, with kick off scheduled for 4.30pm. On X, one user said: Please delay kick off, thousands of city fans stuck on the M6." "Would have to postpone the game, doesn't look like 30 minutes delayed kick off will help those, looks absolutely awful," another said.

13:52Olivia Bridge

All passengers safely evacuated, coach company says

A spokesperson for Ridleys Coaches, the firm whose coach burst into flames on the M6, has confirmed everyone on board the vehicle was evacuated safely.

The spokesperson said: "We can confirm an incident occurred involving one of our coaches on the M6 Toll southbound earlier today. "All passengers and the driver were safely evacuated with no injuries. "We are grateful to the emergency services for their swift response.

"The coach was carrying fans to the Carabao Cup final, and the passengers are all safely on replacement coaches to the stadium. "We are working with authorities to understand the circumstances and will provide further updates as appropriate."

13:08Olivia Bridge

'Massive tailbacks'

Frustrated fans have taken to X about the traffic on the M6 this afternoon, with a huge section closed near the toll due to a coach fire. "Massive tailbacks for city fans", one said in a post on X, as hundreds look to descend on Wembley later this afternoon for the Carabao Cup final.

13:06Olivia Bridge

Motorists stood on M6 beside cars amid traffic chaos

Footage from the M6 this afternoon shows dozens of fed-up looking motorists as they stand on the tarmac of the motorway amid a major traffic jam.

Dozens of football fans kitted out in Manchester City gear can be seen along the side of the road with coaches and cars stationary across all the lanes.

Luckily I passed it before the fire but my mates stuck behind it. Just sent this video and saying it won't be cleared to 2pm. Not looking good pic.twitter.com/ijfMHhyEdu[2]

-- ? (@mcfcwrldV2) March 22, 2026[3]

The chaos comes following reports of a coach fire, said to be taking Man City fans to the match in the capital this afternoon.

13:02Olivia Bridge

Cars held up in major traffic as black smoke fills the sky

Would it be a Wembley day out without a major fire on the motorway pic.twitter.com/0NujfekNBy[4]

-- josh walker (@joshwalker__98) March 22, 2026[5]

Plumes of black smoke can be seen far back in the distance on the M6 toll, according to motorists.

Emergency services are still on the scene after a coach believed to be transporting Manchester City fans to the football match at Wembley today burst into flames.

13:00Olivia Bridge

Road still closed on M6 toll as motorists head to Wembley

In an update, the National Highways has confirmed three lanes are still currently closed on the M6 toll in Warwickshire between T4 and T2 southbound (Weeford and Coleshill). "We are hoping to be able to get lane 3 open to allow traffic caught within the closure to pass the scene. Thanks for your patience if you're held up," it added.

12:33Olivia Bridge

Chaos on the motorway

Stand still traffic currently but supposed to be cleared in the next 30 mins pic.twitter.com/fUWnmxBvjb[6]

-- ? (@mcfcwrldV2) March 22, 2026[7]

Motorists have reported being in standstill traffic for some time now, with some optimistic the road may reopen soon.

12:32Olivia Bridge

More images from the scene of the M6

(@NoahpMCFC/X)12:29Olivia Bridge

All lanes closed on M6 Toll southbound

National Highways says all lanes on the M6 toll soughtbound between T3 and T2 remain shut due to a vehicle fire.

Normal traffic conditions are expected to resue between 1.30pm and 1.45pm, it says.

12:25Olivia Bridge

'Loads of us stuck' passengers say

As thousands are making their way to Wembley stadium today ahead of the Man City vs Arsenal match, with kick-off at 4.30pm, dozens of motorists report being caught in a major traffic jam. Earlier this afternoon, a coach supposedly transporting Manchester City fans caught alight and could be seen burning at the side of the road. Other footage appears to show dozens of people, possibly passengers, gathered on the grassy embankment while thick black plumes of smoke filled the sky.

National Highways has confirmed the road has been closed while firefighters battle the burning inferno. "The whole road is stood still", said one on X. Another warned: "Don't be travelling on m6 toll.

It's shut due to a huge fire, loads of us stuck."

12:17Olivia Bridge

M6 Toll 'still closed' due to bus fire

National Highways: West Midlands has confirmed in a post on X that the M6 Toll in Warwickshire is currently closed across all lanes between T4 (Weeford) and T2 (Coleshill) due to a coach fire. Emergency services are still on the scene, it says.

12:14Olivia Bridge

People seen gathered on hill as firefighters battle blaze

Man City Fan coach on fire - M6 TOLL pic.twitter.com/u1PxyjT6yz[8]

-- Noah LH (@noahlh16) March 22, 2026[9]

Another video captured by a member of the public appears to show dozens of people gathered at a safe distance on a hill while a coach became engulfed by flames on the M6 toll. It is believed the coach may have been transporting Manchester City fans ahead of the football match against Arsenal at Wembley today.

12:09Olivia Bridge

Manchester City fans warned of severe delays on M6

Fans looking forward to the Man City vs Arsenal match today are being warned of major delays on the M6 toll.

Motorists currently on the motorway say traffic has been brought to a complete "standstill". Emergency services are still on the scene.

12:07Olivia Bridge

Footage of M6 coach fire

@ManCity @MENnewsdesk FIRE ON M6 TOLL ROAD pic.twitter.com/p5eBiY8Cr9[10][11][12]

-- finlay (@dunbar71141) March 22, 2026[13]12:06Olivia Bridge

Passengers gather on M6 embankment as fire tears through bus

Further footage shared on social media shows dozens of people, possibly passengers from the coach, stood from a distance on the grassy embankment at the side of the M6. Firefighters can also be seen battling the enormous inferno as the road remains closed across all lanes.

12:02Olivia Bridge

Emergency services on scene of coach fire

England Highways has said the M6 toll southbound between junctions T3 and T2 are currently experiencing delays due to a vehicle fire.

In a post on X, National Highways for West Midlands has confirmed traffic has been brought to a standstill. "Traffic has been STOPPED on the #M6Toll southbound between T3 and T2 due to a coach fire. Emergency services are in attendance.

Thanks for your patience if you're held up," it said.

12:02Olivia Bridge

Dramatic footage shows bus burning

Footage captured by members of the public show flames tearing through the vehicle on the M6 this afternoon.

The entire back end of the coach appears completely engulfed by flames while plumes of thick black smoke fills the air.

12:02Olivia Bridge

M6 bus fire near Birmingham

According to motorists on the way to Wembley today, a coach has become engulfed by flames on the M6 approach to Coleshill Parkway in Birmingham.

The coach is believed to be headed towards the stadium ahead of the football match this afternoon.

References

1. ^ March 22, 2026 (twitter.com)
2. ^ pic.twitter.com/ijfMHhyEdu (t.co)
3. ^ March 22, 2026 (twitter.com)
4. ^ pic.twitter.com/0NujfekNBy (t.co)
5. ^ March 22, 2026 (twitter.com)
6. ^ pic.twitter.com/fUWnmxBvjb (t.co)
7. ^ March 22, 2026 (twitter.com)
8. ^ pic.twitter.com/u1PxyjT6yz (t.co)
9. ^ March 22, 2026 (twitter.com)
10. ^ @ManCity (twitter.com)
11. ^ @MENnewsdesk (twitter.com)
12. ^ pic.twitter.com/p5eBiY8Cr9 (t.co)
13. ^ March 22, 2026 (twitter.com)