A major incident unfolded on the M6 motorway this afternoon as a ferocious lorry fire brought traffic to a complete standstill in both directions. The dramatic blaze erupted near Holmes Chapel in Cheshire, sending thick black smoke billowing across the motorway and prompting a massive emergency response.
Emergency Services Rush to Scene
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they received multiple emergency calls just after 2:30 PM reporting a heavy goods vehicle well alight. Fire crews from across the region raced to the scene between junctions 18 and 19, where they encountered intense flames engulfing the entire vehicle.
"We have four fire engines actively tackling this significant blaze," a fire service spokesperson confirmed. "Our priority is containing the fire and preventing it from spreading to nearby vegetation."
Complete Motorway Shutdown
The severity of the situation forced National Highways to implement a full closure of the M6 in both directions - a rare and drastic measure that underscores the seriousness of the incident. The closure affects one of Britain's busiest transport arteries during peak travel hours.
Long queues quickly formed in both directions as traffic backed up for miles. Motorists reported being stationary for over an hour with no movement in sight.
Diversion Routes and Travel Advice
National Highways has established official diversion routes while firefighting operations continue:
- Northbound traffic is being diverted via the A556 to rejoin at junction 19
- Southbound vehicles are exiting at junction 19 and following signed diversions
- Motorists are being urged to allow extra journey time and consider alternative routes
"We anticipate the closure will remain in place for several hours while we make the scene safe," a National Highways representative warned.
Environmental Concerns
Environmental agencies have been alerted due to concerns about potential pollution from the burning vehicle and its cargo. The thick smoke plume visible for miles has prompted health warnings for nearby residents to keep windows closed.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of critical transport infrastructure and the rapid domino effect such emergencies can have on travel networks across the Northwest.
