A major incident unfolded on one of Britain's busiest motorways this afternoon after a lorry burst into flames, causing severe disruption for thousands of drivers.
Inferno on the Motorway Brings Traffic to a Standstill
Emergency services were scrambled to the M1 in Northamptonshire following reports of a heavy goods vehicle on fire. The incident occurred on the southbound carriageway between junction 16 for Daventry and junction 15a for the Northampton North services. Fire crews from Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service worked tirelessly to tackle the blaze, which completely engulfed the lorry.
The dramatic scene, captured by stranded motorists, showed thick, black smoke billowing high into the sky, visible for miles around. The intensity of the fire led to the immediate closure of all three southbound lanes as a safety precaution, creating a significant bottleneck on the key transport route.
Gridlock and Growing Delays for Commuters
The closure triggered instant and severe congestion. Traffic queues stretched back for approximately 12 miles, with delays estimated at around 90 minutes at their peak. National Highways, which manages England's motorways, issued a severe traffic alert, warning drivers of long delays and advising them to allow extra journey time or seek alternative routes.
The disruption was not contained to just the southbound side. Rubbernecking on the opposite carriageway caused additional, though lesser, delays for northbound traffic. The ripple effect was felt on surrounding A-roads as sat-nav systems diverted vehicles off the motorway, leading to increased pressure on local networks in areas like Northampton and Daventry.
Recovery Operation and Road Reopening
Once the fire was extinguished, a complex recovery operation began. The burnt-out shell of the lorry had to be removed from the carriageway, and road surface assessments were required to check for any damage caused by the intense heat. All lanes were finally reopened shortly after 4:30 PM, but residual delays and congestion took several more hours to fully clear.
National Highways confirmed that no other vehicles were involved in the incident and, thankfully, there were no reports of any injuries. The cause of the fire is now under investigation. A spokesperson for the agency thanked drivers for their patience during the significant disruption and urged anyone who witnessed the start of the fire to contact the relevant authorities.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of major road networks to unforeseen events. It caused major travel misery for afternoon commuters, commercial deliveries, and holidaymakers alike, underlining the M1's critical role in the UK's transport infrastructure.
