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M1 motorway closed near East Midlands Airport after lorry fire | M1 motorway closed near East Midlands Airport after lorry fire |
(35 minutes later) | |
The M1 north near East Midlands Airport has been closed all day following a lorry fire in rush hour. | |
The northbound carriageway in Leicestershire was closed from about 8:30 BST on Thursday and it is not known when it will reopen. | The northbound carriageway in Leicestershire was closed from about 8:30 BST on Thursday and it is not known when it will reopen. |
The blaze was so ferocious it damaged tarmac and safety barriers forcing the Highways Agency to carry out repairs. | The blaze was so ferocious it damaged tarmac and safety barriers forcing the Highways Agency to carry out repairs. |
It is believed the cause was an electrical fault in the lorry's engine. Nobody was injured in the fire. | It is believed the cause was an electrical fault in the lorry's engine. Nobody was injured in the fire. |
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, with the police, closed the motorway between junction 22 to Coalville, and junction 23a to East Midlands Airport with a 20-mile diversion in place. | Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, with the police, closed the motorway between junction 22 to Coalville, and junction 23a to East Midlands Airport with a 20-mile diversion in place. |
Firefighters remained at the scene for most of the day putting out the lorry, which was carrying mattresses, before helping with recovery work. | Firefighters remained at the scene for most of the day putting out the lorry, which was carrying mattresses, before helping with recovery work. |
Drivers who were caught in traffic behind the fire were forced to wait on the tarmac for several hours before firefighters opened one lane at about noon. | Drivers who were caught in traffic behind the fire were forced to wait on the tarmac for several hours before firefighters opened one lane at about noon. |
But shortly afterwards it was closed again to allow for an inspection of the damage to the road. | But shortly afterwards it was closed again to allow for an inspection of the damage to the road. |
The fire also caused severe delays on the southbound carriageway as drivers stopped to look at the accident. | The fire also caused severe delays on the southbound carriageway as drivers stopped to look at the accident. |
East Midlands Airport said the fire did not affect any flights. | East Midlands Airport said the fire did not affect any flights. |