Vehicle Fire on M6 Causes Morning Rush Hour Chaos
A vehicle fire broke out on the M6 motorway near the junction with the M5 early this morning, leading to significant disruption for commuters. The incident occurred around 6:30 AM on the northbound carriageway between junctions 8 and 9, close to the M5 interchange.
Emergency Response
West Midlands Fire Service crews were quickly dispatched to the scene. Firefighters used hose reel jets to extinguish the blaze, which had engulfed a car. No injuries were reported, but the vehicle was severely damaged. The fire service confirmed that the incident was under control by 7:15 AM.
Traffic Impact
National Highways reported that two lanes were closed to allow emergency services to work safely. This led to delays of up to 45 minutes for northbound traffic. Queues stretched back to junction 7 for the M6 and affected traffic on the M5 approaching the interchange. Motorists were advised to seek alternative routes, such as using the A38 or A454.
Travel Advice: Drivers were urged to allow extra time for their journeys or consider delaying travel until the scene was cleared. By 8:30 AM, all lanes had been reopened, but residual congestion remained for some time.
Cause Under Investigation
The cause of the fire is not yet known. An investigation will be carried out to determine what led to the vehicle igniting. Motorists are reminded to ensure their vehicles are well-maintained to reduce the risk of such incidents.
This incident follows a series of vehicle fires on West Midlands motorways in recent months, highlighting the importance of vehicle safety checks.
