Long delays on M5 and M42 after vehicle fires

The furniture van caught fire on the M5 in Worcestershire

Drivers were warned of long delays on the M5 and M42 motorways after two separate vehicle fires.

A furniture van was travelling southbound between junctions 5 at Droitwich Spa and 6 for Worcester at about 14:45 BST, the fire service said.

Traffic was brought to a standstill while firefighters brought the fire under control.

The second blaze was at about 15:40 BST on the M42 southbound between junctions 2 at Birmingham and 1 for Bromsgrove.

All lanes were reopened by 21:30 BST.

All four lanes on the M5 required resurfacing due to damage from the fire, they added, with one lane reopened by 19:00 BST.

National Highways said in both cases there were several miles of congestion.

Traffic was halted on the M42 near Birmingham as fire crews tackled the blaze