A major incident unfolded on the M6 in Cheshire this morning as a ferocious lorry fire forced the complete shutdown of one of Britain's busiest motorways, plunging the morning commute into chaos.
The blaze erupted on the southbound carriageway between junction 17 for Sandbach and junction 16 for Crewe, sending plumes of thick, black smoke billowing across the area. Emergency services, including multiple fire crews, raced to the scene to tackle the intense inferno.
Catastrophic Travel Disruption
In response to the severe incident, National Highways took the drastic step of implementing a full closure in both directions. The unprecedented move was necessary to allow firefighters safe access and to assess the structural integrity of the road surface following the intense heat.
The closure triggered immediate and severe delays, with congestion stretching back over 10 miles on approach to the scene. Long queues formed on the southbound side back past junction 19 for Knutsford, while northbound traffic was also severely impacted.
Emergency Response and Recovery
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they were in attendance, working tirelessly to extinguish the flames. There have been no immediate reports of any serious injuries, a silver lining in an otherwise disastrous event for road users.
National Highways issued a stark warning to drivers, stating the closure was expected to remain in place for a considerable amount of time throughout the day. Complex recovery operations are required to remove the burnt-out HGV wreckage and conduct essential repairs to the damaged carriageway.
Diversion Routes and Driver Advice
Officially signed diversion routes have been established to guide motorists around the closure:
- Southbound traffic is being diverted via the A500 to join the M1.
- Northbound traffic is being sent on a reverse route.
Drivers are being urgently advised to:
- Avoid the area entirely if possible.
- Allow significant extra time for any essential journeys.
- Check live traffic updates before setting out, as the situation remains fluid.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of the UK's road network and the widespread disruption a single event can cause for thousands of motorists.
