A major lorry fire closed the southbound carriageway on the A42 just south of Measham last night (Thursday).

As our video shows, the vehicle was well alight with fire and police on the scene at around 10pm.

Ashby Fire Station also posted photos of the blaze HERE

Smoke billowed from the HGV with plumes of smoke drifting across the immediate area.

Traffic was backed up on both the dual carriageway and the slip road close to the McDonald's services.

Police blocked off the entrance to the slip road but Highways England reported queues of one and a half miles heading back towards Ashby.

The road was still blocked after around 90 minutes as the mopping up operation continued.

Highways England said last night: "The M42 in Warwickshire is blocked between J11 (A42) and J12 (M42) in both directions due to a vehicle fire.

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"Emergency services are on scene.

"Road users are being diverted locally.

"Please allow extra time for your journey if travelling in the area or consider alternative routes. there is currently 1.5 miles of congestion approaching the closures."

This morning (Friday), Highways England tweeted: "We have opened the main carriageway on the M42 southbound between J11 #BurtonUponTrent and J10 #Tamworth following resurfacing from an earlier vehicle fire.

"UPDATE- The slip road is now fully open on the #M42 Southbound."

One driver said on social media: "It took five hours to do a one hour 40 minute journey."