Huge plumes of black smoke seen billowing over M6 near Stafford due to lorry fire as drivers warned of delays
Traffic was held by police on the M6 near Stafford due to a lorry fire.
Motorists were brought to a halt on the northbound carriageway between Junction 12 for Gailey and Junction 13 for Stafford on Wednesday (June 25) afternoon.
Emergency services were called to the scene of the M6 Northbound between Junctions 12 and 13 following reports of smoke coming from a lorry on the road.
Five Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service fire appliances were sent to the scene, along with Staffordshire Police officers.
Crews used three hose reel jets to extinguish the fire.
A Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "We were called at 1.20pm today to the M6 northbound between Junctions 12 and 13 following reports of smoke coming from a lorry.
"Five appliances attended the scene alongside colleagues from Staffordshire Police. Crews used breathing apparatus and three hose reel jets to extinguish a fire in the engine department of the lorry."
The spokesperson added: "Nobody was reported injured.
"The fire was later deemed to have been caused accidentally and crews left the scene at 3.20pm."
Staffordshire Police also attended the scene.
A force spokesperson said: "We were called at 1.15pm today to the M6 northbound between Junctions 12 and 13 following reports of a vehicle fire.
"Officers attended the scene and temporarily closed the motorway to allow fire crews to extinguish the blaze. Nobody was reported injured and the road reopened at around 3pm.
"The incident was left with National Highways."
In a post to X just after 1.30pm, National Highways West Midlands said a lorry was "fully ablaze" and that firefighters were on their way to the scene.
A photo taken by motorway cameras near Junction 13 shows huge plumes of black smoke coming from the vehicle fire.
Traffic was released on the southbound carriageway at around 2pm after fire crews brought the blaze under control.
In its latest update just before 3pm, National Highways said: "Two (of four) lanes closed on the M6 northbound in the Staffordshire between J12 Gailey and J13 Stafford following a vehicle fire.
"There are 60-minute delays northbound at present, please allow extra time for your journey."
