LIVE: Plumes of smoke seen as lorry bursts into flames on M6 with carriageway closed - updates

A lorry has burst into flames on the M6 this evening with emergency services at the scene. A large closure is in place on the southbound carriageway between J18 for Middlewich and J17 for Sandbach.

Fire crews and police are at the scene currently with diversions in place. Traffic has been stopped temporarily as emergency services deal with the ongoing blaze.

Live traffic service Inrix has reported all traffic on the southbound carriageway is being held currently due to the fire. The Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has been contacted for further details.

This is a live incident. Updates to follow.

The latest update from Highways England says there are delays of around 20 minutes.

All four lanes on the southbound carriageway remain closed.

Emergency services attended the blaze at around 7.30pm.

Fire crews remain at the scene this evening tackling the flames.

A diversion has been set up following a lorry fire on the M6. The motorway is currently closed in both directions.

Please be aware there is a low bridge on the A50 so vehicles over 4.8m (16'0") are being diverted via local routes.

A spokesperson for the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Firefighters are currently tackling a fire involving a HGV trailer which was well-alight on arrival.

"Crews are using hose reel jets and breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire. A full closure has been put in place on the Southbound carriageway."

Diversions in place

The southbound carriageway has been closed

Live traffic service Inrix says:

"All traffic being temporarily held and stationary traffic due to vehicle fire on M6 Southbound from J18 A54 Middlewich Road (Middlewich / Holmes Chapel) to J17 A534 Old Mill Road (Sandbach / Crewe)."