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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Lorry blaze closes section of M1 in Derbyshire | Lorry blaze closes section of M1 in Derbyshire |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The M1 was brought to a standstill after a lorry carrying batteries caught fire on a stretch of the motorway in Derbyshire. | The M1 was brought to a standstill after a lorry carrying batteries caught fire on a stretch of the motorway in Derbyshire. |
| Motorist Graham Tomlinson said he saw a lot of "black smoke" and "fireballs" coming from the HGV. | Motorist Graham Tomlinson said he saw a lot of "black smoke" and "fireballs" coming from the HGV. |
| Cars were evacuated and a 500m (1,640ft) cordon was set up. | Cars were evacuated and a 500m (1,640ft) cordon was set up. |
| Two southbound lanes between junctions 28 and 29, for South Normanton and Chesterfield, have since reopened but drivers are advised to avoid the area. | Two southbound lanes between junctions 28 and 29, for South Normanton and Chesterfield, have since reopened but drivers are advised to avoid the area. |
| Derbyshire Police said it was trying to get people moving as quickly as possible. | Derbyshire Police said it was trying to get people moving as quickly as possible. |
| Mr Tomlinson, who was stuck in traffic near the scene, said: "There were fireballs coming from the lorry and shooting across the carriageway. | Mr Tomlinson, who was stuck in traffic near the scene, said: "There were fireballs coming from the lorry and shooting across the carriageway. |
| "[It] was a bit daunting I would imagine if you were near the front." | "[It] was a bit daunting I would imagine if you were near the front." |
| Drivers have been asked to avoid the area. | |
| A spokeswoman from Highways England said the motorway would re-open once engineers had assessed the scene. | |
| She said it was likely that traffic could also be affected on Thursday as resurfacing was likely. | |
| East Midlands Ambulance Service was at the scene to assist people stranded in their cars and distribute drinking water due to the high temperatures. |