Lorry Fire Causes Major Delays on M1 Motorway in Derbyshire

A large lorry fire on the M1 motorway has caused significant traffic delays between junction 29 (Chesterfield) and junction 28 (Mansfield) this morning. The fire broke out on the southbound side of the motorway around 6:30am, creating a traffic jam and forcing lane closures.

Emergency Services Respond Quickly

Police and firefighters rushed to the scene after the alarm was raised. National Highways East Midlands shared a dramatic photo from the scene, showing the lorry completely engulfed in flames. Thick black smoke could be seen rising into the sky. Fire engines and a police car were seen nearby, preparing to control the fire.

A spokesperson for National Highways said: “Traffic has been STOPPED on the M1 southbound in Derbyshire between J29 (Chesterfield) and J28 (Mansfield) due to a lorry fire. Emergency services are just arriving on scene. Thanks for your patience if you’re held up.”

Long Traffic Delays for Drivers

As the fire spread, traffic came to a complete stop. Vehicles were stuck for miles, with drivers experiencing long waits. Some drivers reported being held for over an hour before traffic slowly began to move again.

At first, all southbound lanes were closed while firefighters worked to extinguish the flames. Fortunately, the fire has now been put out, but one lane remains closed as cleanup operations continue.

Damage to the Lorry

Photos taken after the fire was extinguished show the lorry completely burned out. The charred remains of the vehicle are still on the road. The fire damaged the road surface in some areas, which may require further inspection and repair.

Recovery teams are now working to remove the burnt-out vehicle from the motorway.

Lane Reopenings and Traffic Update

In an official update, National Highways said: “Traffic has now been released in lane 4 on the M1 southbound in Derbyshire between J29 and J28. All other lanes remain closed at this time whilst the fire service remain in attendance. There are long delays on approach.”

Later in the morning, a further update was issued: “Two lanes (of four) are now open on the M1 southbound. Recovery is being arranged for the burnt-out lorry. There are minor delays on approach. Please allow extra time for your journey.”

No Injuries Reported

There have been no official reports of injuries from the fire. Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the blaze. An investigation is expected once the road is cleared and safe.