M1 car transporter fire was caused by blown tyre

News imageLeicestershire Fire and Rescue Service Two fire engines sit on the M1. The cab of a green lorry is on fire, with bright orange flames and black smoke.Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service
The M1 was shut northbound after the transporter caught fire

A fire that closed part of the M1 in Leicestershire was caused by a blown tyre on the trailer of a car transporter.

Multiple fire crews were called the scene on the northbound side of the motorway, north of Catthorpe Interchange, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said at about 18:00 BST on Monday.

A car transporter and its load of seven cars had caught fire, but no injuries were reported.

In an update on Tuesday, the service said the blaze involved three diesel cars, four hybrid vehicles and the transporter carrying them, and was caused by a blown tyre on the trailer.

Firefighters worked until just after 21:00 to extinguish the fire and make the carriageway safe to reopen.

News imageLeicestershire Fire and Rescue Service Multiple burnt out vehicles are held on a car transporter on the M1. An orange recovery vehicle is parked on the carriageway next to the transporter.Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service
The blaze involved a car transporter and the seven vehicles it was carrying

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