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Emergency services have been scrambled to the M6 in Cheshire following a truck fire. And the blaze has resulted in a stretch of the northbound being closed off.
Firefighters are currently at the scene between junctions 18 and 19. During the height of this morning's rush-hour fire and the motorway had to be closed off in both directions.
In an update just before 8.20am and National Highways confirmed the southbound stretch had reopened. However the northbound carriageway is shut.
Further updates will appear in our dedicated blog below.
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Queues of traffic
CCTV footage captured from traffic cameras show the extent of the traffic this evening
Recovery complete and resurfacing begins
Recovery has now been completed and resurfacing will take place overnight
One lane open
A lane has got back open. But three lanes remain closed and there are 'long delays'
Incident is 'scaling down'
An update on the Cheshire Fire and Rescue indicent page reads: "The incident is scaling down, with firefighters still on the scene. This page will not be updated until the morning, unless there are significant developments."
Delays of 110 minutes
Lane 4 (of 4) has now reopened past the scene, but there are currently delays of 110 minutes north on the approach to J18 and 10 minutes south past the scene.
Long delays remain
According to Inrix, the traffic monitoring service, the M6 Northbound remains closed with long delays due to emergency repairs.
Latest update from the fire service
A spokesperson said: "The contents of the lorry have been removed, and the scene has been dampened down with a hose reel jet as a precaution. The vehicle has been thoroughly inspected using thermal imaging cameras and gas monitors."
Crash near Stoke-on-Trent
There's been a collision on the southbound between junctions 16 and 15 - and all traffic has been stopped.
We have launched a dedicated blog for that incident that can be found here.
Long delays on the M6 today (August 21)
Seven miles of congestion as M6 still shut
1pm update from the fire service
A spokesperson said: "Crews are still at the scene, and this junction of the motorway remains closed."
Diversion details
- Leave the M6 at Junction 18.
- Follow the A54 Holmes Chapel Road for approximately 2 miles.
- Continue on the A54 to the junction with the B5309.
- Follow the B5309 Centurion Way for approximately 2 miles.
- Continue onto the A530 King Street for approximately 2.5 miles.
- Continue onto the A556 for approximately 5 miles.
- Re-join the M6 at Junction 19.
National Highways to assess damage to carriageway
A spokesperson said: "Firefighters are continuing to tackle the incident and make the vehicle safe. Once the fire has been fully extinguished, attention will turn to clearing the scene and assessing any damage caused by the intense heat.
"The burnt vehicle will then require recovery before National Highways engineers can inspect the carriageway, safety barriers and roadside technology. High temperatures generated by vehicle fires can damage road surfaces, barriers and motorway equipment, all of which must be assessed before the road can safely reopen.
"Only once these checks are complete, and any immediate safety work has been carried out, will the northbound carriageway be reopened to traffic.
"If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey."
'Multi-agency meeting' held as northbound stays shut
A spokesperson for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "A multi-agency meeting has taken place, including the Environment Agency, paramedics, police and fire. A water curtain has been established, and the vehicle is being monitored continuously. Those close to the incident are advised to keep doors and windows closed as a precaution."
Latest from the fire service
A spokesperson said: "Firefighters are continuing to tackle the fire with a hose reel jet. One lane of the northbound carriageway is expected to reopen shortly, with traffic controls in place."
Traffic being 'turned around'
National Highways say traffic is being 'turned around' from the back of the massive queue.
Cheshire Police statement
Cheshire Police has confirmed there are no reported injuries at this time. A spokesman for the constabulary said: "Emergency services were called to reports of a lorry fire on the M6 northbound near to Knutsford Service Station. Police and fire attended the scene and on arrival they found a HGV which was well alight.
"There are no reports of any injuries at this time."
Four fire engines at blaze
An additional engine from Crewe has been sent in - along with that station's water bowser. Issuing an update, the fire service said: "Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus have utilised two hose reel jets to tackle the blaze. A water relay has also been established. The driver was safely out of the vehicle before firefighters' arrival. The road was closed entirely, and the southbound carriageway has since been reopened. The northbound road remains closed."
Diversion details
National Highways has issued the following diversion details:
"Leave the M6 at J18 and join the A54 westbound. Go onto the B5309 north shortly after. Join the A530 northbound and travel approximately 3.5 miles. Join the A556 northbound which will take you back towards the M6 J19".
Three fire engines at blaze
The alarm had been raised just after 7.35am this morning. Fireighters from Middlewich, Northwich and Lymm have all been sent to the incident.
A spokesperson for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Firefighters are currently in attendance at an incident involving a heavy goods vehicle that is well alight on the M6 North, between junctions 18 and 19."
'100-minute queue' on M6
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