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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 caught fire, shutting the M56 motorway near Chester and leading to traffic gridlock.
Firefighters are tackling the lorry fire which started just before 15:00 BST on the westbound carriageway. Firefighters have now brought the blaze under control, which broke out at 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 remains 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. Many of the surrounding road closures have now been lifted and the 1,600m cordon has been reduced.
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.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.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.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 caught 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. The Manchester to Chester railway line has reopened but the line between Helsby and Hooton remains closed.
Stretches of the M56 became gridlocked, with traffic backing up as far as Liverpool, with a knock-on effect into north Wales. Earlier, 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 was 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: