M6 closed in Warwickshire 'well into rush hour' after fire
M6 in Warwickshire still partly closed by tanker fire
(about 3 hours later)
Part of the M6 in Warwickshire closed by a chemical tanker fire is expected to be shut "well into rush hour", the Highways Agency warned.
Part of the M6 in Warwickshire remains closed more than 10 hours after a chemical tanker fire.
Dozens of motorists were forced to leave their vehicles after the tanker caught fire between junctions 3 and 3A, near Bedworth.
Dozens of motorists had to leave their cars after the tanker fire between junctions 3 and 3A, near Bedworth.
Hundreds of people have been stranded since the M6 shut at about 09:15 GMT.
The Highways Agency said the southbound carriageway had reopened but the northbound stretch was still closed.
Ten people, including eight firefighters, were taken to hospital but have been released.
A 1,000m exclusion zone put in place while the chemicals were removed has been lifted and motorists stranded by the incident have left the scene.
The Highways Agency said it was waiting for fire crews to lift a 1,000m exclusion zone.
The motorway was handed back to the Highways Agency by the emergency services earlier, a spokeswoman said.
An agency spokeswoman said both carriageways of the M6 between junctions two and four were likely to "remain closed for several more hours".
Resurface road
She said after the exclusion zone was lifted, the road would have to be checked to see if it needed resurfacing.
The removal of the fire-hit lorry was taking place on the northbound carriageway, which would have to be assessed for damage and resurfaced if needed.
She anticipated a "phased reopening" of the road.
"We hope to get at least one lane of it reopen this evening," she said.
Warwickshire Police said a tyre on the tanker, believed to be carrying hydrochloride, had blown out and then caught fire on the northbound carriageway.
Hundreds of people were stranded after the motorway was shut at about 09:15 GMT and many motorists were caught up in tailbacks reaching about three miles (5km).
Dozens of motorists and passengers who had to abandon vehicles were resting at Corley Services.
Ten people, including eight firefighters, were taken to hospital but have since been released.
They were treated for breathing difficulties by ambulance crews before being taken to hospital, the ambulance service said.
Warwickshire Police said a tyre on the tanker had blown out and then caught fire on the northbound carriageway.
Dozens of motorists and passengers had to abandon vehicles and rested at Corley Services.
'No risk'
'No risk'
Highways Agency staff have been removing central reservation barriers freeing some traffic by allowing it to turn around and travel in the other direction.
Many of the stranded vehicles were freed after highways staff removed metal barriers on the central reservation allowing vehicles to turn around.
However, vehicles within the exclusion zone cannot be moved.
The tanker had been carrying a "mix of chemicals", the Health Protection Agency said.
There is a steady stream of people walking to Corley Services on the M6 having abandoned their vehicles.
The priority had been to contain and remove the chemicals and "ensure that there are no hazards to public health at the scene", according to the Strategic Co-ordinating Group, led by the county's fire service.
I spoke to one HGV driver who parked up to half a mile away.
"The group is able to reiterate its assurances to the public that no risk is posed. Any smouldering from the scene is a result of the burning paper and is not connected to chemicals," a spokesman said.
It took him about 10 minutes to walk here but he was not worried because he knew he was not going anywhere anytime soon.
Coventry City Council ran the rest centre at Corby services.
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.
Simon Brake from the council said earlier they were making sure people were safe and buses were taking them along the motorway.
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.
"We've got just over 100 people here - we keeping them warm and dry and we're helping them keep in touch with their families and we're keeping them informed about what's going," he said.
Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service is working with other agencies to deal with the incident.
The incident was causing severe delays and motorists were advised to find alternative routes and follow diversions.
In a joint statement it said the priority had been to contain and remove the chemicals and "ensure that there are no hazards to public health at the scene".
A fire service spokesman said: "The group is able to reiterate its assurances to the public that no risk is posed. Any smouldering from the scene is a result of the burning paper and is not connected to chemicals.
"Work is progressing to get the people displaced from their vehicles to Corley Services Station back on the road.
"Our priority will then be to get the M6 open again."
Stuart Hateley, who was among those stuck on the motorway, said earlier: "I saw the flames in the distance - they were quite high.
"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.
"We were outside for about two hours before the coaches got here."
The incident was causing severe delays and motorists were advised to find alternative routes and follow the diversions.
