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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| M6 closed in Warwickshire after chemical tanker fire | M6 closed in Warwickshire after chemical tanker fire |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Motorists have been forced to leave their vehicles after a chemical tanker caught fire on the M6 in Warwickshire. | Motorists have been forced to leave their vehicles after a chemical tanker caught fire on the M6 in Warwickshire. |
| The motorway has been closed in both directions between junctions two and four, the Highways Agency said. | The motorway has been closed in both directions between junctions two and four, the Highways Agency said. |
| Drivers close to the tanker, which caught fire between junctions three and 3A, were evacuated from their cars and an 800m exclusion zone is in place. | Drivers close to the tanker, which caught fire between junctions three and 3A, were evacuated from their cars and an 800m exclusion zone is in place. |
| Ambulance crews are treating 10 people with breathing difficulties. One is understood to be the tanker driver. | Ambulance crews are treating 10 people with breathing difficulties. One is understood to be the tanker driver. |
| Warwickshire Police said the tanker had suffered a tyre blow out and then caught fire. | Warwickshire Police said the tanker had suffered a tyre blow out and then caught fire. |
| A force spokeswoman said: "Due to the motorway being closed there is a massive tailback of traffic and we are currently advising people to stay away from the area. | A force spokeswoman said: "Due to the motorway being closed there is a massive tailback of traffic and we are currently advising people to stay away from the area. |
| "The fire service are in attendance at the moment at the vehicle and it looks like it could be quite a long job." | |
| In an additional statement, the force added: "Traffic is currently tailing back to junction two on the northbound carriageway and to junction five on the southbound carriageway. | |
| "Motorists whose vehicles are stuck on the motorway close to the fire have been evacuated from their vehicles as a precautionary measure and moved away from the scene. | |
| "The fire is in a rural area, with few houses. Residents are being advised to stay indoors and close their windows." | "The fire is in a rural area, with few houses. Residents are being advised to stay indoors and close their windows." |
| 'Very serious' | |
| Warwickshire cricketer Darren Maddy said he was stuck on the southbound carriageway for some time. | Warwickshire cricketer Darren Maddy said he was stuck on the southbound carriageway for some time. |
| He said: "I can't see a great deal other than a big queue of cars. | He said: "I can't see a great deal other than a big queue of cars. |
| "There's been a lot of fire engines and ambulances and police cars. | "There's been a lot of fire engines and ambulances and police cars. |
| "The northbound section of the motorway is completely empty. | "The northbound section of the motorway is completely empty. |
| "We're aware it's something very serious. Other than that it's very frustrating." | "We're aware it's something very serious. Other than that it's very frustrating." |
| A caller to BBC Coventry & Warwickshire, Robert, said: "I'm stuck on the M42 about 400 yards from the M6. | |
| "The car drivers think they can be clever, turning round, putting their hazard lights on and driving backwards. | |
| "I've seen most of them come back. I guess the police are sending them back." | |
| Another eyewitness said people were leaving their cars on the carriageway and walking up the slip roads to Corley Services. | Another eyewitness said people were leaving their cars on the carriageway and walking up the slip roads to Corley Services. |
| The Highways Agency advised northbound traffic to come off at junction two and use the A46 southbound, A45 and then A452 in order to rejoin the motorway at junction four. | The Highways Agency advised northbound traffic to come off at junction two and use the A46 southbound, A45 and then A452 in order to rejoin the motorway at junction four. |