Drivers on the M1 witnessed terrifying scenes this afternoon as a massive lorry fire sent a dramatic mushroom cloud billowing over the motorway, creating apocalyptic visuals and causing severe disruption.
The inferno erupted on the southbound carriageway between junctions 14 and 15 near Milton Keynes, completely engulfing the heavy goods vehicle in flames that could be seen for miles around. Eyewitnesses described the terrifying moment the blaze intensified, sending a distinctive mushroom-shaped cloud soaring into the sky.
Chaos on the Motorway
Emergency services rushed to the scene as thick black smoke poured across the carriageway, reducing visibility to dangerous levels and forcing the complete closure of the southbound route. Dramatic footage captured by stranded motorists showed the intense orange flames consuming the vehicle while the enormous plume of smoke drifted across the Bedfordshire countryside.
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they had deployed multiple crews to tackle the blaze, with firefighters working desperately to bring the situation under control. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, though early reports suggest it may have started in the lorry's cargo area.
Travel Chaos for Commuters
The incident created travel misery for thousands of motorists during the afternoon rush hour. National Highways issued a severe alert warning of expected long delays and advised drivers to avoid the area completely if possible.
Traffic queued back for several miles as emergency teams worked at the scene. Motorists already caught in the congestion faced hours of delays, with many abandoning their journeys altogether. Diversions were put in place via the A509, though these routes quickly became congested with redirected traffic.
Eyewitness Accounts
One shocked driver told reporters: "I've never seen anything like it - the smoke just kept building into this enormous mushroom cloud. It looked like something from a disaster movie. The flames were incredibly fierce and the heat was intense even from a distance."
Another witness described the rapid escalation: "At first it was just some smoke, then within minutes the whole lorry was engulfed. The speed at which it spread was frightening. Emergency services arrived quickly but the fire was already raging out of control."
Recovery Operation Underway
As the fire was brought under control, attention turned to the complex recovery operation. The burnt-out shell of the lorry will need to be removed from the carriageway, while highway engineers will assess any damage to the road surface caused by the intense heat.
Motorists are being warned that disruption is expected to continue into the evening, with significant residual delays likely even after the carriageway reopens. Drivers planning to use the M1 southbound are strongly advised to seek alternative routes and check traffic updates before travelling.
