M6 lane to be resurfaced after lorry carrying hazardous materials bursts into flames
One lane of the M6 needs resurfacing after fire engulfed a lorry carrying hazardous materials.
The HGV - which was transporting office equipment and chemicals - caught fire between Junctions 6 (Spaghetti Junction) and 5 (Castle Bromwich) on the southbound carriageway at around 11pm on Monday night, destroying the the trailer.
Twenty firefighters and fire engines were initially called to the scene, before being joined by three more engines and a water pump.
A spokesman for West Midlands Fire & Rescue Service said: "The driver of the vehicle, which was carrying office equipment and a large amount of chemicals, had already disconnected the trailer prior to our arrival when he realised there was a problem.
"Our crew, some of whom were wearing breathing apparatus, worked closely with the police, ambulance service, Highways England and Veolia to make the area safe."
The blaze shut the southbound carriageway for several hours, with lanes not reopened until shortly before 7am on Tuesday.
As a result drivers are facing delays of more than an hour, with queues stretching back more than five miles to Junction 8 (M5) as of 8am.
In a statement on its website, Highways England said: "Specialist clear-up works and recovery are now ongoing, which is expected to take some time as the vehicle was transporting hazardous materials."
Highways England said shortly before 8.30am that three lanes have been reopened, but one will remain closed until it is resurfaced on Tuesday evening.
