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M6 lorry fire so intense it melted the road, expect delays M6 lorry fire causes 11-mile queues after road surface melts under intensity of heat
(34 minutes later)
A lorry fire has closed parts of the M6 motorway after the intense blaze melted the road surface. Drivers heading off on their summer holidays have faced long queues when parts of the M6 were forced to close following a lorry fire that was so hot it melted the road surface.
Severe delays are expected as the road is partly closed for resurfacing work to take place. Travellers were forced to wait in queues of up to 11 miles as the motorway closed to allow for resurfacing work to take place.
The Central Motorway Police Group tweeted a picture of the HGV engulfed in flames which spread across the carriageway, melting the tarmac. Earlier, the Central Motorway Police Group tweeted a picture of the HGV engulfed in flames which spread across the carriageway, melting the tarmac overnight.
  
The fire broke out at 1.30am on Saturday when the lorry, along with four lanes of the motorway, went up in flames. The cause of the fire, which started in the lorry's trailer, has not yet been reported. Zakir Ullah caught the lorry on camera using his phone as the vehicle exploded in the raging fire.
The fire broke out at 1.30am when the lorry, along with four lanes of the motorway, went up in flames. The cause of the fire, which started in the lorry's trailer, has not yet been reported.
The vehicle is believed to have been transporting boilers with flammable mastic and sealant.The vehicle is believed to have been transporting boilers with flammable mastic and sealant.
Part of the road melted after a lorry was engulfed in flames on the M6 Highways England said: "The intensity of the fire has caused extensive damage to the carriageway and resurfacing is required."Part of the road melted after a lorry was engulfed in flames on the M6 Highways England said: "The intensity of the fire has caused extensive damage to the carriageway and resurfacing is required."
Straffordshire fire services worked over night to bring the blaze under control.Straffordshire fire services worked over night to bring the blaze under control.
Lorry fire causing a complete closure on the M6 South J13 to J12. Please avoid if possible. Fire crews in attendance. pic.twitter.com/rtiWyeXHA3 M6 Southbound 5 mile gridlock, South of Stafford Services . Thankfully we're going the other way! #traffic pic.twitter.com/IXmoshKdZy
The southbound section between junction 13 for Stafford South and junction 12 for Cannock may be closed until 6:00pm, police have said. The southbound section between junction 13 for Stafford South and junction 12 for Cannock was closed until 5.30pm.
Queues of up to 11 miles were reported. Traffic is now moving but extremely slow. Drivers travelling south east should divert towards the M1 if possible. Queues of up to 11 miles were reported. Traffic is now moving but extremely slow. Drivers travelling south-east should divert towards the M1 if possible.
"It's been a very frustrating day, especially for holiday-makers," the national campaigns manager for Highways England said."It's been a very frustrating day, especially for holiday-makers," the national campaigns manager for Highways England said.
"All we can do is thank them for their patience and assure them that we are working full out.""All we can do is thank them for their patience and assure them that we are working full out."