Blaze consumes police car and forces full closure of M6 between Preston and Lancaster

Northbound traffic was held between junction 32 (Broughton) and 33 (Hampson Green), after a police car caught fire on the carriageway at around 9.40am (Wednesday, May 8).

The police car had pulled over onto the hard shoulder before it burst into flames.

The cause of the fire is not yet known, but is under investigation.

Police have now reopened lane 3 (of 4) at J32. Lanes 1 and 2 remain closed as Highways teams continue to clean oil from the carriageway.

People are advised to follow the overhead matrix signs and obey reduced speed limits on the approach to the scene.

Highways England warn that some lanes could remain closed until around 12pm.

The A6 also struggled with heavy traffic as it was used as a diversion route.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "We were called at around 9.30am today to reports a police car was on fire close to Junction 32 of the M6.

"No officers were injured and the cause is currently unknown."