Miles of tailbacks and delays of more than an hour were seen on the M6 on Wednesday morning after a lorry burst into flames.
At around 7am emergency services, including five fire engines, were called to the M6 northbound between junction 20 and 21, after receiving reports that an HGV was on fire.
A spokesperson for highways said: "The vehicle is on the off slip and is well ablaze.
"We will be putting a full closure in place to assist the fire service.
"We will keep you updated. Please avoid the area."
Traffic was stopped and a full closure was put in place while fire crews battled to extinguish the flames.
M6 Thelwall Northbound
— North West Motorway Police (@NWmwaypolice) October 6, 2021
Lane 3 and 4 are now OPEN
30's will remain in place past the scene for your own safety
Please allow extra time for your journey
Again, if you have been stuck in the tail back thank you for your patience and support pic.twitter.com/wRsk3vwzIS
Luckily, the driver of the HGV was not injured and was being spoken to by police at the scene.
Some lanes remained closed for more than an hour, before traffic was allowed to travel along two of the lanes just after 8am.
𝐌𝟔 𝐇𝐆𝐕 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 | Scene of Firefighters that have been tackling a HGV fire on the M6 Northbound between J20-J21.
— North West Motorway Police (@NWmwaypolice) October 6, 2021
Long delays remain in the area, please avoid if possible.
Thank you to the public for your patience whilst the emergency services dealt with this incident pic.twitter.com/xamQRTiOHD
A spokesperson for Cheshire fire and rescue service said: "Firefighters are currently dealing with a HGV on fire on the M6 northbound, Thelwall viaduct between junctions 20 and 21.
"Crews wearing breathing apparatus are tackling the fire using three hose reels.
"At 9.06am firefighters are continuing to shuttle water to the scene and are now tackling the fire using two hose reels.
"A recovery vehicle is currently at the scene waiting to remove the vehicle.
"Plans are being put in place to remove the contents of the lorry."
An update at 9.32am stated that the fire had been extinguished and the recovery vehicle was in place to start removing the contents of the lorry.
Images from the incident show the extensive damage caused to the lorry.
Some delays are still expected while recovery works to clear the lorry's contents and the vehicle itself.
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