Lorry fire on M1 forces three northbound lanes to close
A lorry has caught fire on the M1 near Coventry. The vehicle was travelling northbound between junction 16, Daventry and 17, near the Dunchurch, Coventry exit when the fire started shortly before 3.30pm this afternoon. Coventry Live reports that smoke can be seen filling the sky and that firefighters and police are on the scene.
The cause of the fire is not yet known and no casualties have been reported. Originally, all four lanes were closed. One has now reopened but traffic site Inrix says traffic is moving very slowly. Drivers are being advised to keep their windows shut as they travel along the road while fire crews continue working to dampen down the flames. A spokesperson for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service was called at 3.21pm today to an incident between junctions 16 and 17 of the northbound carriageway of the M1 motorway.
On arrival it became apparent that a HGV was fully involved in a fire, and three fire engines were called to the scene. READ MORE: Recap after Northampton town centre road closed when a man was found unconscious “A full road closure was put in place on the northbound carriageway just before Watford Gap services while firefighters using breathing apparatus used a hose reel jet to get the flames under control, while efforts were also made to control the smoke plume.
No casualties have been reported “One lane of the motorway has been reopened, but crews remain at the scene and are damping it down. Motorists are advised to keep their windows closed if travelling along this stretch of road.”
Traffic site Inrix said: “Three lanes closed, severe delays and queueing traffic due to lorry fire on M1 Northbound between J16 A4500 (Daventry) and J17 M45 (Dunchurch / Coventry). Congestion to J15 (Northampton).” “The A5 north through Towcester and Weedon Bec is queueing as traffic looks to divert.
Travel time is 1 hour and 20 minutes. Traffic is being released in lane four (of four). Lanes one, two and three remain closed while emergency services continue to dampen down the fire.” Earlier, those travelling were seen opening their vehicle doors on the motorway as traffic was stationary and looked unlikely to move.
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