Is the M5 motorway closed, was there an accident and what’s the latest traffic update?
A two-mile jam built up on the M5 after a lorry fire in Worcestershire
A SECTION of the M5 motorway is closed after a lorry fire in Worcestershire this morning.
All traffic was stopped as thick smoke billowed across the carriageways. Here's the latest.
Why is the M5 motorway closed?
An HGV caught fire at around 6am on the southbound M5 between junction 3 and junction 4.
Two of the three lanes were blocked, forcing rush hour traffic to a crawl.
Highways officials then closed closed all three lanes as fire crews tackled the intense blaze.
The junction 3 slip road was also shut to stop traffic entering the blocked motorway.
A two-mile traffic jam has built up behind the blockage, as smoke continued to pour across the road more than three hours after the blaze began.
Only cars already trapped between junctions three and four were allowed to slowly pass the fire scene in the outside lane.
What's the latest traffic update?
The southbound carriageway is currently closed and drivers are being advised to use other routes.
After the burnt-out lorry is moved, the road will need to be cleaned and gritted after it was left coated in foam used to tackle the fire.
Highways England tweeted: “The fire brigade now have an extra unit on scene with foam to help with dampening down the fire on the #M5 southbound between J3 and J4 which remains BLOCKED.
"Recovery has been requested, & a gritter is now on scene on the M5 southbound between J3-J4. Trapped traffic continues to pass the scene via lane 3 only, with the road remaining fully closed to all other traffic.
"There is over two miles of congestion on approach to closure at J3.
“Traffic wishing to head to the South West are advised to use the #M6 and #M42 south to avoid the area.”
The fire came hours after long delays on the southbound M5 caused by emergency repairs near junction 2 last night.
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