A major stretch of the M6 motorway will remain closed overnight following a dramatic lorry fire that severely damaged the northbound carriageway between junctions 22 (Winwick) and 23 (East Lancs Road) in the early hours of Monday morning (April 14).
The HGV blaze, which broke out before dawn, sent thick plumes of smoke into the sky and forced the complete closure of the northbound route. Firefighters worked for several hours to extinguish the fire, which caused significant structural damage to the road surface.
Firefighting Efforts and Damage Assessment
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they deployed multiple appliances to the scene shortly after 2am. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus tackled the intense blaze, which engulfed the heavy goods vehicle and some of its contents.
No injuries were reported, but the fire caused substantial heat damage to the road, prompting emergency engineers from National Highways to assess the structural integrity of the carriageway.
A National Highways spokesperson said:
“Due to the intensity of the fire and the resulting damage to the road surface, the M6 northbound between junctions 22 and 23 will remain closed overnight while repair works continue. We thank motorists for their patience and understanding.”
Diversions and Travel Advice
A diversion route remains in place, with traffic being redirected via local roads and the M62, though long delays have been reported throughout the day. Drivers are advised to allow extra time for journeys and check travel updates before setting off.
National Highways has warned that delays could persist into Tuesday morning’s rush hour, depending on the extent of the repair work required.
Witnesses and Footage Shared Online
Footage of the lorry ablaze has circulated widely on social media, with users sharing dramatic clips of the towering flames and black smoke visible from miles away.
One eyewitness wrote on X:
“Never seen anything like it. The whole lorry was on fire, fire crews worked like heroes to get it under control.”
Investigation Underway
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire. It is not yet known whether the lorry was carrying hazardous materials, though fire officials have confirmed that no chemicals were released and there is no ongoing risk to public health.
Stay Informed
Motorists are urged to follow @HighwaysNWEST on X or visit www.trafficengland.com for live updates and diversion details.
Further updates will follow as repairs progress.
