A blazing lorry fire on the M40 southbound sparked hours of chaos today, leaving drivers trapped in gridlock as emergency crews battled the inferno. The motorway was shut between Junction 16 for Hockley Heath and Junction 15 for Warwick, causing colossal tailbacks.
Massive Lorry Blaze Brings M40 to a Standstill
A large goods vehicle erupted in flames, sending thick black smoke choking the Warwickshire sky. Four fire engines from Warwickshire Fire and Rescue rushed to the scene, fighting the fierce blaze that incinerated the lorry’s tarpaulin and destroyed its cargo.
National Highways confirmed the M40 closure southbound between J16 and J15, with emergency services and traffic officers managing the incident.
At 4pm, officials began releasing some vehicles in lane 3, but severe congestion remained.
Hours-Long Standstill Frustrates Motorists
Drivers reported being stuck for over two and a half hours, with traffic backing up as far as Junction 3 on the M42. Furious commuters took to social media pleading for updates.
“Is there any update for people stuck directly behind the incident? We’ve been here for over two hours now.”
Official Diversions Urged
Motorists are warned to avoid the section and leave the M40 at Junction 16. Take the A4189 and B4463 before rejoining at Junction 15 to dodge the chaos.
Expect long delays as emergency crews work to clear the scene and reopen the motorway.
