A major stretch of the M6 motorway remains shut overnight after a huge lorry fire ripped through the northbound carriageway between junctions 22 (Winwick) and 23 (East Lancs Road).
The blaze broke out before dawn on Monday morning, April 14, sending thick smoke plumes soaring into the sky and forcing a full closure of the road.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service rushed multiple crews to tackle the fierce fire after 2am. Firefighters, decked out in breathing apparatus, battled the flames devouring the HGV and some of its cargo.
Although no injuries were reported, the fire caused severe damage to the road surface, leading engineers from National Highways to inspect the motorway’s structural safety.
“Due to the intensity of the fire and the resulting damage to the road surface, the M6 northbound between junctions 22 and 23 will remain closed overnight while repair works continue. We thank motorists for their patience and understanding,” said a National Highways spokesperson.
The fire left the carriageway with substantial heat damage, forcing repair teams to work through the night. A diversion reroutes traffic via local roads and the M62, but long delays have plagued drivers all day.
National Highways warns that delays could drag on into Tuesday’s rush hour depending on repair progress.
Videos of the burning lorry have gone viral on social media, showing towering flames and thick black smoke visible for miles. One witness on X (formerly Twitter) commented: “Never seen anything like it. The whole lorry was on fire, fire crews worked like heroes to get it under control.”
Authorities are investigating the fire’s cause. It’s unclear if the lorry carried hazardous materials, but fire officials confirm no chemicals were released and there is no threat to public health.
Motorists are urged to follow @HighwaysNWEST on X or visit www.trafficengland.com for live updates and diversion info. Expect updates as repair work continues.
Originally published by UKNIP.
