A1(M) closure: A1 in South Yorkshire remains shut northbound as firefighters continue to fight lorry blaze
A massive vehicle fire has caused huge delays for drivers on the A1(M) in South Yorkshire this morning.
Emergency services are still at the scene of a lorry fire on the motorway between Blyth and the M18 intersection.
It is understood that the lorry exploded into the flames around 7.15am this morning (April 5), which emergency services closing the motorway in both directions in response.
Five hours on, the A1(M) is now only closed northbound between J34 Blyth and J35 Wadworth J35. A photo released by National Highways Yorkshire shows a lorry completely burnt out and surrounded by hosepipes.
A spokesman for National Highways Yorkshire said: “The lorry's load keeps re-igniting. Traffic caught within the closure is being released to pass this incident, depending on the safety of the lorry's load.”
It added that traffic is being diverted, and delays are likely on the approach to this closure, with additional journey times also expected on diversion routes.
Video footage from this morning showed lengthy tailbacks and huge plumes of smoke from the stricken vehicle.
More updates to come.
For information on diversions, please visit https://nationalhighways.co.uk/travel-updates/travel-alerts/a1m-south-yorkshire-lorry-fire-road-closed-northbound/