Firefighters are tackling a lorry fire on the M6 in Cheshire which has closed the northbound carriageway.
Emergency services were called to the blaze which took place between junction 20, Lymm Interchange, and junction 21, Woolston.
Large clouds of smoke are billowing in both directions along the carriageway.
Police have shut all lanes of the northbound motorway while fire crews tackle the blaze.
The lorry has been moved onto the hard shoulder after the entry slip road at junction 20.
The closure is having a knock-on effect on other motorways, leading to congestion on the M56.
Drivers are being advised to avoid the area.
A statement from Cheshire Fire said: “Fire crews are using two hose reels to extinguish the fire.
“Three firefighters are wearing breathing apparatus.”
Road may need resurfacing
As a result of the fire part of the carriageway may need to be resurfaced; Cheshire Fire have said.
Delays remain on the road network across Cheshire and motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible.
One lane, of four, remains closed.
One lane still closed
One lane is still closed on the northbound M6, with long delays and stop-start traffic due to the earlier lorry fire between J20 and J21.
Congestion goes back to J18.
Lane one (of four) remains closed.
The lorry is on the hard shoulder just after the entry slip road at J20 and the fire has been extinguished.
A 40mph restriction has been put in place.
Latest update from police
Cheshire Police say emergency services are still at the scene and delays remain.
Police, Fire and Highways officers are at the scene and as a result of the fire the M6 is currently closed northbound between junctions 20 and 21. One lane is also closed on the southbound carriageway.
As a result of the incident there are currently delays on the road network across Cheshire and motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible.
Picture of the fire
This picture, taken by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, shows the lorry on fire earlier this morning.
Drivers are still being urged to avoid the area as they continue to tackle the fire.
Firefighters continue to tackle blaze
Fire crews remain on the hard shoulder of the M6 as they continue to extinguish the lorry fire.
No injuries
Police have confirmed that no one has been injured. Cheshire Police said:
The M6 in Cheshire is currently closed northbound between junctions 20 and 21 following a vehicle fire.
The fire near to the Lymm interchange was reported at approximately 7.10am today, Tuesday 10 January and involves a HGV. There are not believed to be any injuries.
Police, Fire and Highways officers are at the scene and as a result of the fire the M6 is currently closed northbound between junctions 20 and 21. One lane is also closed on the southbound carriageway.
As a result of the incident there are currently delays on the road network across Cheshire and motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible.
Delays of 90 minutes
Highways England have warned drivers on the northbound M6 to expect delays of an hour.
A statement says:
On the M6 northbound within J20 (M56 intersection) traffic is currently held whilst the Fire Service tackle a lorry fire.
The northbound entry slip road at J20 has been closed as well as the link roads from the M56 (J9) east and westbound onto the M6 northbound. There were lane restrictions on the M6 southbound between J21 and J20 but these have now been lifted.
There are delays of one and half hours northbound and one hour southbound as a result of this incident.
Road users are advised to allow extra travel time for their journeys and may wish to consider using an alternative route.
All lanes now reopened southbound
All lanes have now been reopened on the southbound carriageway.
One lane had been closed earlier due to debris from the fire on the road.
The northbound motorway remains closed.
Slip road closed on M56
The exit slip road on the westbound M56 at junction 9 for the M6 has now been closed due to the fire.
Long delays
The fire is causing long delays in both directions on the M6.
Northbound, tailbacks currently stretch back from junction 20 to junction 18.
Southbound, there is congestion all the way back to junction 26 Orrell interchange.
It is leading to congestion on the M56 with tailbacks from Runcorn all the way to junction 9 for the M6.
Fire being extinguished
This latest picture, sent in by a reader, shows the lorry still ablaze a short time ago.
Picture of blaze
Twitter user @odinevents sent us this dramatic picture of the lorry on fire from the southbound carriageway a short time ago.
Drivers urged to avoid area
The lorry has been moved onto the hard shoulder after the entry slip road at junction 20.
Drivers are being advised to avoid the area.
A statement from Cheshire Fire said: “Fire crews are using two hose reels to extinguish the fire.
“Three firefighters are wearing breathing apparatus.”
Lorry fire closes M6
The M6 is currently closed northbound while firefighters tackle a lorry fire.
Emergency services were called to the blaze which took place between junction 20, Lymm Interchange, and junction 21, Woolston.
Large clouds of smoke are billowing in both directions along the carriageway.
Police have shut all lanes of the northbound motorway while fire crews tackle the blaze.
One lane has also been closed southbound.
