M5 shut after severe lorry fire causing major disruption

Acrid smoke billowed across the carriageway as flames shot up from the stricken truck.

The fire happened on the M5 southbound between junction three at Halesowen and junction four at Lydiate Ash for north Bromsgrove.

Crews from both Hereford and Worcester and West Midlands fire services were called at around 6.15am on Friday.

All lanes on the southbound side were closed while traffic queued on the northbound side.

Images from Highways England showed flames shooting into the sky engulfing the lorry.

Officials said it was an 'intense' fire and urged motorists to find alternative routes if possible.

No-one was injured in the fire, said West Midlands Ambulance Service.

The M5 was reopened southbound between junction three and junction four by around 10:45am.

But two of the three lanes remained closed for recovery teams to dismantle the damaged HGV before it could be moved.

Delays were snaking back northbound through junction four and back towards Frankley Services.

Traffic was queuing back on the southbound side to junction two at Oldbury and onto the roadworks section at junction one at West Bromwich.

Highways England said there had been up to two miles of tailbacks on the M5 on the approach to the wreckage.

Long delays were also reported on the A456 Manor Way in Halesowen which is the main diversion for motorists wanting to leave the motorway.

The A491 route at Bell End was also very busy.

In a separate incident, there were delays after an accident on the M6 at the M5 link at junction eight.