Huge car transporter fire which closed M1 near Northamptonshire for over four hours caused by blown tyre

Multiple crews were called to the M1 north of the Catthorpe Interchange (J19) at around 6pm on Monday June 22 where a car transporter carrying seven vehicles was on fire (Leics Fire and Rescue)

placeholder image — Multiple crews were called to the M1 north of the Catthorpe Interchange (J19) at around 6pm on Monday June 22 where a car transporter carrying seven vehicles was on fire (Leics Fire and Rescue)

A blown tyre on a car transporter caused a huge fire on the M1 just north of Northamptonshire – forcing the closure of the road for more than four hours.

Multiple crews were called to the M1 north of the Catthorpe Interchange (J19) at around 6pm on Monday June 22 where a car transporter carrying seven vehicles was on fire.

The blaze forced the closure of the northbound carriageway, with two lanes of the southbound carriageway also shut.

Drivers were caught in long delays before the road fully reopened at around 10.30pm.

Issuing an update this morning (Tuesday), Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said: “A quick update this morning on last night's transporter fire on the M1, north of J19, where our crews from Lutterworth, Hinckley and Southern Fire Stations worked until just after 9pm.

“As mentioned, nobody was hurt in the fire, which was caused by a blown tyre on the trailer.” The car transporter and all seven vehicles were all destroyed in the blaze.