A lorry fire on the M6 northbound near Birmingham Airport caused severe traffic disruption on Friday morning, with drivers facing 90-minute delays and nine miles of congestion. The incident occurred between Junction 4, serving the airport, and Junction 6, for Birmingham, at approximately 11am on August 7.
Fire crews respond to HGV blaze
Firefighters from Sheldon, Hay Mills and Bickenhill stations rushed to the scene, where the heavy goods vehicle was fully engulfed in flames. Three fire engines were deployed, and crews wearing breathing apparatus used hose reels to extinguish the fire, which affected the entirety of the lorry.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Fire Service confirmed: "We're currently in attendance at fire affecting a heavy goods vehicle on the M6 Northbound, between J4 for BHX and J6 for Birmingham. Three fire engines from Sheldon, Hay Mills and Bickenhill are at the scene. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used hose reels to extinguish the fire, which affected the entirety of the lorry. There were no casualties or injuries."
Travel warning for airport passengers
Birmingham Airport (BHX) issued a travel warning to passengers, urging them to allow extra time for their journeys. In a post on social media platform X, an airport spokesperson said: "Allow extra time if you're travelling to and from Birmingham Airport."
National Highways West Midlands reported that traffic had "stopped" on the motorway following the incident. Initially, drivers faced 90-minute delays, with congestion stretching for nine miles. The motorway was fully closed for a period before one lane was reopened.
Road damage and ongoing recovery
The fire caused damage to the road surface, which required assessment before lanes could be safely reopened. National Highways West Midlands provided an update: "Lanes one, two and three (of four) remain closed on the M6 northbound between J4 and J5 following a HGV fire which resulted in damaging the road. West Midlands Fire Service continues to work at the scene. Current delays of up to 20 minutes on approach. Two miles of congestion."
Highways officers and police were also in attendance, supporting with traffic management and vehicle recovery. The recovery operation was ongoing, and drivers were advised to follow National Highways West Midlands for the latest traffic updates.
Impact on travel
The incident caused significant disruption for motorists heading to Birmingham Airport and beyond. With the airport being a major transport hub, passengers were advised to plan ahead and consider alternative routes. The fire service confirmed that no one was injured during the incident.
This incident highlights the importance of emergency preparedness on major motorways, as well as the collaborative efforts of fire, police, and highways teams to manage such events and minimise disruption to the public.
