A significant blaze has broken out near one of the busiest highways in the UK, causing a standstill in traffic flow. The incident occurred around 6:45 pm today, leading to the closure of the southbound lanes of the M1 in Nottinghamshire, between junction 28 in Alfreton and junction 26 in Nottingham.
Motorists are advised to prepare for delays as thick smoke blankets the motorway, with three fire engines already on the scene. A diversion route has been established to manage traffic.
National Highways announced the closure, stating that the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service is actively working to extinguish the fire. They also mentioned that National Highways Traffic Officers are assisting with traffic control and advised travelers to allow extra time for their journeys.
Authorities urged drivers to consider alternative routes or delay their trips, as the fire, described as “large,” continues to pose a risk. Traffic diversion instructions have been provided for affected vehicles.
Inrix, a traffic monitoring website, reported that the southbound lanes of the M1 are blocked due to a serious fire with smoke blowing across the road. The recommended diversion route is through the A38 southbound into Ripley and along the A610 to Kimberley.
The cause of the fire remains unknown. Recent weeks have seen several wildfires across the UK, including incidents at Dunwich Heath in Suffolk, Middlewick Ranges in Colchester, and Cairngorms National Park in Scotland. These events coincide with prolonged dry spells, high temperatures, and multiple heatwaves. The Government has declared half of England to be in a state of drought, affecting various regions including East Anglia, Hertfordshire, London, Thames Valley, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Devon, Cornwall, the West Midlands, Wessex, and all of Wales.