IN PICTURES and VIDEO: M6 closure as severe lorry fire melts road surface
A severe lorry fire has closed the M6 southbound.
The blaze broke out shortly after 1.30am this morning closing the motorway in both directions between Junction 13 for Stafford South and Junction 12 for Cannock as flames engulfed all lanes of the southbound carriageway.
And it has emerged dozens of fish in the nearby River Penk may have died as a result of chemicals used to fight the blaze.
The northbound carriageway was fully reopened by 4.20am, but the motorway remains closed southbound at Junction 13 as heat from the fire has damaged the tarmac road surface.
The closure is likely to remain in place until 6pm this afternoon while resurfacing work takes place.
Motorists should expect delays.
A crash on the M6 southbound at Junction 14 at around 3.15am this morning closed one lane, but that has now reopened.
