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Propane tanker fire shuts M56 motorway near Chester | Propane tanker fire shuts M56 motorway near Chester |
(35 minutes later) | |
A tanker carrying propane gas has caught fire, shutting the M56 motorway near Chester, with trains and air travel also affected. | A tanker carrying propane gas has caught fire, shutting the M56 motorway near Chester, with trains and air travel also affected. |
Firefighters are tackling the lorry fire which started just before 15:00 BST on the westbound carriageway. | |
The motorway has been closed in both directions between junctions 12 and 15 near Stanlow and Frodsham. | The motorway has been closed in both directions between junctions 12 and 15 near Stanlow and Frodsham. |
Cheshire Police tweeted there were no casualties, but drivers were warned to avoid the area. | |
A spokesperson for the emergency services said many surrounding road closures were being lifted as the precautionary safety cordon had been reduced. | |
Previous safety advice issued to residents and motorists - including advice to residents in Helsby, Hapsford and Elton to close their windows and doors - has also now been lifted. | |
The force said it had removed the motorway's central reservation so motorists could turn around and get off the motorway. | |
Tom Jackson, who was stuck on the motorway, said: "I was about 20 cars back and we just saw the traffic start to slow and then come to a complete standstill. | Tom Jackson, who was stuck on the motorway, said: "I was about 20 cars back and we just saw the traffic start to slow and then come to a complete standstill. |
"A huge plume of black smoke and then two small explosions, that may have been tyres, then there was a huge one which was like a giant bunsen burner going off way up into the sky." | "A huge plume of black smoke and then two small explosions, that may have been tyres, then there was a huge one which was like a giant bunsen burner going off way up into the sky." |
Five fire engines attended the scene and worked with both the police helicopter unit to check the tanker's temperature and specialist staff from the tanker company. | |
Air traffic controllers were also advised of the incident to ensure flights at Liverpool and Manchester airports avoided any smoke. | |
The tanker was on fire on the hard shoulder of the M56 at junction 14, a few miles from Ellesmere Port. | The tanker was on fire on the hard shoulder of the M56 at junction 14, a few miles from Ellesmere Port. |
The Manchester to Chester railway line has re-opened but the line between Helsby and Hooton is still closed. | |
Stretches of the M56 became gridlocked, with traffic backing up as far as Liverpool, with a knock-on effect into north Wales. | |
Photos posted on Twitter showed motorists leaving their vehicles to sunbathe or play football on the opposite side of the carriageway, which is empty of traffic. | Photos posted on Twitter showed motorists leaving their vehicles to sunbathe or play football on the opposite side of the carriageway, which is empty of traffic. |
Are you affected by the fire on the M56? Please stay safe and let us know about your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you affected by the fire on the M56? Please stay safe and let us know about your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |