THESE dramatic pictures show the aftermath of a severe lorry fire which caused traffic chaos on the M5 motorway today.
The lorry caught fire on the M5 southbound between junctions five (Droitwich) and six (Worcester at 4.44am this morning (Monday).
Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue said the fire was severe and involved a lorry carrying 28 tonnes of bitumen.
Crews from Droitwich and Bromsgrove used foam attack, four breathing apparatus, and two hose reels to fight the fire.
Initially, the fire closed off the whole of the M5 between the two junctions in the early hours of this morning.
An environmental protection unit and water carrier from Wyre Forest as well as further crews from Worcester also attended.
Hereford and Worcester Fire Service and West Midlands Fire Service were both called to the scene as well as West Mercia Police and National Highways traffic officers.
The northbound carriageway reopened after an hour but the southbound has remained shut with lanes slowly opening throughout the day.
There were delays of over an hour during the day with roads nearby in Worcester and Droitwich impacted by queuing traffic.
Currently (12.45pm), one lane remains closed of the southbound carriageway with delays of about 45 minutes.
The road will be closed at 7.30pm to ease congestion.
On the same stretch of motorway, firefighters had to pull a person from their car following a crash at 10.16am.
Crews from Droitwich and Worcester attended the crash between a car and HGV on the M5 southbound between junctions five and six.
The person was taken to hospital by West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service and the car and HGV were made safe.
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