M6 closed: Motorists stuck in long delays after lorry fire
- Published
The fire broke out at about 06:00 BST
Motorists have been stuck in delays for hours on one of Lancashire's busiest motorways after it was closed due to a lorry fire.
The blaze started at about 06:00 BST on the M6 southbound between junction 32 and junction 31A at Longridge.
The M6 continued to be closed in both directions due to a pedestrian in the road, National Highways said.
Crews attended the lorry fire for several hours in a "complex recovery operation", the fire service said.
National Highways said three out of four lanes had reopened at about 20:30 but long delays remained.
The M55 was also shut for a time between junction 3 and the M6.
Motorists have been getting out of their cars as they have been stuck for hours
One driver told the BBC how there was a "helicopter circling above" the M6 and "people had got out of their cars" due to the tailbacks.
Police said they were working to reopen the motorway fully "as soon as possible".
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) advised motorists to check routes before driving near the area.
At the scene near Garstang
Chris Long, BBC News
It has been a nightmare day for drivers on the M6 as a series of incidents have caused long unmoving tailbacks in both directions.
At one point, many of those heading northbound were out of their cars and chatting with those at a standstill on the other carriageway.
Among them were holidaymakers heading for the Lakes and a fair few frustrated festivalgoers, rapidly facing up to the fact they were going to miss most of the first full day of Kendal Calling.
Among the general jokes and grumbles that passed between them, they have been giving each other information about what they have already passed on their way into the traffic jams as they desperately try to find out just how many extra hours they were facing on the road.
What they have heard has been met with a mixture of hope and despair, as those heading southbound begin to edge forward, while the northbound become accepting of the ever-increasing delays.
One man I spoke to was impressively sanguine, given that he said he was only four miles from home, while a fellow driver said she was five minutes away from her house.
Most people were in good spirits, laughing and joking and watching the helicopter in the distance circle in the sky.
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