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Five killed in crash blaze on M6 Five killed in crash blaze on M6
(about 2 hours later)
Five people were killed when their car caught fire in a collision with three lorries and another car on a motorway.Five people were killed when their car caught fire in a collision with three lorries and another car on a motorway.
Two adults and what is thought to be three children, died in Monday night's crash on the M6 in Cheshire.Two adults and what is thought to be three children, died in Monday night's crash on the M6 in Cheshire.
It happened between Junction 16 at Barthomley and Junction 17 for Sandbach at about 2240 BST.It happened between Junction 16 at Barthomley and Junction 17 for Sandbach at about 2240 BST.
A 46-year-old lorry driver has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, a Merseyside Police spokeswoman said.A 46-year-old lorry driver has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, a Merseyside Police spokeswoman said.
The man is believed to be either Spanish or Portuguese and will be questioned through an interpreter. The man is Portuguese and will be questioned through an interpreter.
At this stage... it is extremely difficult to identify the bodies Supt Jed Manley, Cheshire PoliceAt this stage... it is extremely difficult to identify the bodies Supt Jed Manley, Cheshire Police
A police spokeswoman said the casualties had all been in the same car.A police spokeswoman said the casualties had all been in the same car.
The vehicle "suffered extensive fire damage when it ignited upon impact", she added.The vehicle "suffered extensive fire damage when it ignited upon impact", she added.
Superintendent Jed Manley, from Cheshire police, told the BBC: "At this stage, because of the condition of the vehicle, it is extremely difficult to identify the bodies inside."Superintendent Jed Manley, from Cheshire police, told the BBC: "At this stage, because of the condition of the vehicle, it is extremely difficult to identify the bodies inside."
He said the scene was "still being worked on".He said the scene was "still being worked on".
Police said the crash appeared to have happened in heavy, slow traffic caused by an earlier accident in which a motorist from Cheshire, driving a white van, had died.Police said the crash appeared to have happened in heavy, slow traffic caused by an earlier accident in which a motorist from Cheshire, driving a white van, had died.
The crash followed an earlier one in which a man diedThe crash followed an earlier one in which a man died
The earlier crash happened at 2100 BST between Junction 17 at Sandbach and Junction 18 for Holmes Chapel.The earlier crash happened at 2100 BST between Junction 17 at Sandbach and Junction 18 for Holmes Chapel.
The northbound section of the M6 between junctions 16, at Stoke-on-Trent, and 17, for Sandbach, was closed for several hours after the crash.The northbound section of the M6 between junctions 16, at Stoke-on-Trent, and 17, for Sandbach, was closed for several hours after the crash.
One motorist, Aidan O'Rourke, from Manchester, told the BBC he waited nearly three hours before being allowed to pass the incident.One motorist, Aidan O'Rourke, from Manchester, told the BBC he waited nearly three hours before being allowed to pass the incident.
"Passing the accident scene I saw several lorries had been damaged, the cab of one was completely smashed," he said."Passing the accident scene I saw several lorries had been damaged, the cab of one was completely smashed," he said.
Colin McWilliam, also from Manchester, said traffic was at a standstill after that crash before police decided to turn vehicles round and escort them back along the motorway.Colin McWilliam, also from Manchester, said traffic was at a standstill after that crash before police decided to turn vehicles round and escort them back along the motorway.
Police said motorists were "strongly advised" to either delay their journey or consider an alternative route while the congestion eased.Police said motorists were "strongly advised" to either delay their journey or consider an alternative route while the congestion eased.
Traffic officers reopened the M6 at 0720 BST with traffic flowing, but "a little more congested than usual", a spokesman said.Traffic officers reopened the M6 at 0720 BST with traffic flowing, but "a little more congested than usual", a spokesman said.
Motorists were also affected by another crash on the M6 when a car travelling north between junctions 15 and 14 crossed the central reservation and hit a van heading south.Motorists were also affected by another crash on the M6 when a car travelling north between junctions 15 and 14 crossed the central reservation and hit a van heading south.
The Highways Agency said nobody was thought to have been seriously injured, but the motorway would remain while vehicles were recovered.The Highways Agency said nobody was thought to have been seriously injured, but the motorway would remain while vehicles were recovered.