LIVE Huge car fire on Mancunian Way sends smoke billowing across city centre and sparks traffic chaos

Part of the Mancunian Way is closed this evening (Friday, February 14) following a car fire.

Rush hour delays are being reported as two lanes of the inner ring road remain closed following the blaze. The closed lanes are on the westbound carriageway from Downing Street to Cambridge Street.

Traffic monitoring service Inrix reported: "Two lanes closed and delays due to vehicle fire on A57(M) Mancunian Way westbound from A6 Downing Street to Cambridge Street.

"Following a brief hold on traffic, two lanes remain closed. Ongoing since around 3pm."

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue service have been contacted for a comment.

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The incident earlier on the Mancunian Way has been cleard, but there's still lots of traffic all over town. Regent Road and Chapel Street eastbound are particularly affected, but parts of Great Ancoats Street and further donw the ring road are also congested.

There's still queueing traffic eastbound on the Mancunian Way after the Chester Road Roundabout due to an accident. However, the heavy traffic on the westbound carriageway caused by an earlier vehicle fire has now cleared with traffic back to normal.

Traffic has returned to normal on the westbound carriageway of the Mancunian Way between Downing Street and Cambridge Street. But the Mancunian Way is now partially blocked eastbound due to another accident with traffic queuing near the Chester Road Roundabout.

There is still heavy traffic on the Mancunian Way due to an earlier vehicle fire. But according to traffic monitoring service Inrix, all lanes have now re-opened.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: "At around 2.30pm today,