Dramatic moment crane EXPLODES on the M40 causing commuters severe delays as motorway is closed

COMMUTERS are facing rush-hour chaos this morning after a mobile crane exploded on the M40 overnight.

Dramatic footage captured the moment the crane exploded, shaking houses and sending plumes of black smoke billowing into the air.

Five huge blasts were heard as the machinery burst into flames near Gerrards Cross, Bucks, at 9.30pm on Wednesday.

The southbound carriageway between junctions 2 and 1a on the approach to the M25 was shut for two hours as fire crews battled to put out the blaze.

And the busy stretch of road remains partly closed as engineers battle to repair the road surface.

Locals said that the explosions were of the crane's tyres and fuel tank going up in flames.

Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue service said about 35 firefighters rushed to the scene with six fire engines plus a water tanker and command unit.

It said the the large vehicle was well alight when crews arrived, with firefighters using "foam and hose reels".

Lanes of traffic heading were finally reopened after the fiery incident about 11.30pm on Wednesday with emergency crews remaining on site overnight to clear the southbound lanes.

One woman Hannah Bishop took to Twitter saying it was "the most scary thing I've encountered".

Tweeting about the crash, she said: "Local word is it's a huge crane on hard shoulder."

Others reported feeling their houses shake.

Echolise Sutherland tweeted: "A lorry exploding on the M40 made my house shake".

Emergency services remained on site overnight.

Thames Valley Police tweeted: "M40 Southbound at J2 is currently closed due to a crane on fire. Likely to be shut for several hours please avoid the area."

A spokesman said that the road had been so badly damaged that it would need to be resurfaced.

No one was injured.

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