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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. Ten people were treated for breathing difficulties and taken to hospital. One is understood to be the tanker driver.
Warwickshire Police said the tanker, believed to be carrying hydrochloride, had suffered a tyre blow-out and then caught fire. A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said the 10 were taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.
He added that "a number of people, such as those with small children, who have had to abandon their vehicles, have been taken to Corley Services".
Warwickshire Police said the tanker, believed to be carrying hydrochloride, had suffered a tyre blow-out and then caught fire on the northbound carriageway.
A force statement said: "Traffic is currently tailing back to junction two on the northbound carriageway and to junction five on the southbound carriageway.A force statement said: "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."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.
"The motorway is expected to remain closed for several hours and motorists are advised to avoid the area if at all possible.
"As a result of the motorway closure, surrounding roads are also heavily congested with traffic."
There is a steady stream of people walking to Corley Services on the M6 having abandoned their vehicles.There is a steady stream of people walking to Corley Services on the M6 having abandoned their vehicles.
I spoke to one HGV driver who parked up to half a mile away.I spoke to one HGV driver who parked up to half a mile away.
It took him about 10 minutes to walk here but he was not worried because he knew he was not going anywhere anytime soon.It took him about 10 minutes to walk here but he was not worried because he knew he was not going anywhere anytime soon.
People are walking up to get a bite to eat and are desperate for the toilet because they have been sitting in their vehicles for hours.People are walking up to get a bite to eat and are desperate for the toilet because they have been sitting in their vehicles for hours.
Most of the people at the services are doing what they can to stay warm and are trying to get the latest information as to when the motorway can be reopened.Most of the people at the services are doing what they can to stay warm and are trying to get the latest information as to when the motorway can be reopened.
"The motorway is expected to remain closed for several hours and motorists are advised to avoid the area if at all possible.
"As a result of the motorway closure, surrounding roads are also heavily congested with traffic."
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."
Another person stuck on the motorway, Stuart Hateley, said: "I saw the flames in the distance - they were quite high.Another person stuck on the motorway, Stuart Hateley, said: "I saw the flames in the distance - they were quite high.
"Everyone got out of their cars and started running past me."Everyone got out of their cars and started running past me.
"The police knocked on the door and asked me to leave. I walked all the way back for about 1,000m down the motorway and then coaches turned up to give us somewhere warm to sit."The police knocked on the door and asked me to leave. I walked all the way back for about 1,000m down the motorway and then coaches turned up to give us somewhere warm to sit.
"They are talking now about turning the cars around but it's going to be a while. I've been here since 09:40."They are talking now about turning the cars around but it's going to be a while. I've been here since 09:40.
"We were outside for about two hours before the coaches got here."We were outside for about two hours before the coaches got here.
"The plan was originally to take us to the services but we all got on and they changed the plan."The plan was originally to take us to the services but we all got on and they changed the plan.
"The coach is full with half a dozen standing, four coaches originally but some more have come along.""The coach is full with half a dozen standing, four coaches originally but some more have come along."
A caller to BBC Coventry & Warwickshire, Robert, said: "I'm stuck on the M42 about 400 yards from the M6.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."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.""I've seen most of them come back. I guess the police are sending them back."
West Midlands Ambulance Service tweeted: "A number of people, such as those with small children, who have had to abandon their vehicles, have been taken 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.