M1 traffic LIVE: Lorry on fire as motorway lanes close with one-hour delays

A lorry burst into flames this afternoon, bringing a stretch of the motorway[1] to a standstill. Traffic stopped on the M1 southbound between Northampton and Milton Keynes, with three of four lanes closed between junction 15 (Northampton) and junction 14 (Milton Keynes). There were delays of around an hour, with five miles of congestion on approach, according to National Highways East.

The road has now reopened. This live blog is now closed

16:56Joe Smith

Coverage ends

Withe the motorway open and traffic moving we will end out coverage of this incident. Please see our website[2] for all the latest breaking news stories.

16:09Joe Smith

Traffic moving freely

According to reports from Google Traffic, the stretch of motorway is no longer experiencing delays.

15:14Joe Smith

All lanes open but traffic still disrupted

All lanes are now open on the M1 southbound between J15 (Northampton) and J14 (MiltonKeynes), according to a statement from National Highways East.

The emergency area the lorry was in will remain closed until the fire damaged surface can be repaired. Motorists are being urged to plan extra journey time whilst traffic flow returns to normal.

14:32Eliana Nunes

Two of four lanes remain closed

In an update on X, National Highways East said two of four lanes remain closed on the M1 southbound between junction 15 (Northampton) and junction 14 (Milton Keynes) following the lorry fire. It added that recovery is complete and clear-up work is now underway.

Delays of around one hour remain, with five miles of congestion.

13:55Ethan Blackshaw

Fire extinguished as recovery continues

Images show the fire has now been extinguished. A crane is being used to lift the lorry onto a recovery truck.

Traffic has now been released again on the #M1[3] southbound between J15 (#Northampton[4]) and J14 (#MiltonKeynes[5]).

3 lanes (of 4) remain closed at this time whilst a complex recovery operation is ongoing. There's an hour delay and 6 miles of congestion on approach. pic.twitter.com/tBkDbxc4SL[6]

-- National Highways: East (@HighwaysEAST) January 11, 2026[7]13:39Eliana Nunes

Delays remain on M1 amid 'complex recovery operation'

National Highways East has said traffic has now been released on the M1 southbound between junctions 15 (Northampton) and 14 (Milton Keynes).

It added: "3 lanes (of 4) remain closed at this time whilst a complex recovery operation is ongoing. There's an hour delay and 6 miles of congestion on approach."

13:28KEY EVENT

Where did the lorry fire happen?

The lorry fire happened on the M1 southbound between junction 15 (Northampton) and junction 14 (Milton Keynes).

Congestion on the M1 southbound between junctions 15 and 14 (Google Maps)13:19Eliana Nunes

Three of four lanes closed

National Highways East said in its latest update on X: "3 lanes (of 4) remain closed on the #M1 southbound between J15 (#Northampton) and J14 (#MiltonKeynes) following a lorry fire. Recovery has now arrived at the scene.

There's an hour delay and 6 miles of congestion on approach so allow extra time."

References

1. ^ motorway (www.mirror.co.uk)
2. ^ see our website (www.mirror.co.uk)
3. ^ #M1 (twitter.com)
4. ^ #Northampton (twitter.com)
5. ^ #MiltonKeynes (twitter.com)
6. ^ pic.twitter.com/tBkDbxc4SL (t.co)
7. ^ January 11, 2026 (twitter.com)