The M1 has been shut for more than 7 hours and is set to stay closed thoughout the night because of a lorry fire.
The cab and trailer went up in flames on the southbound carriageway near St Albans shortly before 2.30pm.
Photos showed firefighters attempting to put out the fire as smoke poured from the vehicle.
Follow live updates on the M1 fire here
The M1 has been shut southbound between junction 7, for the A414, and 6A for the M25 since the fire broke out - and remains closed because of an oil spillage.
National Highways has warned resurfacing will keep the M1 closed "throughout the night" with the vehicle only being recovered this evening.
There have been delays of over an hour southbound on the M1 from before junction 9 for Redbourn - with lengthy delays still in place as of 9pm.
Drivers are being diverted off the M1 at junction 7 for the A414 towards St Albans, and there are queues all the way to Park Street roundabout.
At that roundabout, motorists are being asked to take the fourth exit onto the A405 towards Watford.
The A405 has junctions allowing drivers to join the M25 at junction 21A or the M1 south at junction 6 in Bricket Wood.
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National Highways said at around 3.40pm: “The M1 southbound, between J8 - J6A is closed near Hemel Hempstead following a HGV fire. This has caused an oil spillage affecting all lanes.
“Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue service are at the location along with National Highways traffic officers who are assisting with traffic management.
“The carriageway is expected to remain closed for a number of hours to deal with the HGV fire, treatment of the oil spillage and recovery.”
The #M1 southbound between J8-J6A is now closed following the earlier vehicle fire and oil spillage affecting all four lanes. Please continue to follow this feed for further updates. There is approx. 30 min delays on the approach. pic.twitter.com/hQGeZRlCGY
— National Highways: East (@HighwaysEAST) August 24, 2022
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At 8.30pm, it tweeted: "The #M1 remains closed southbound between J8-J6A to allow recovery agents to complete the recovery of the HGV.
"The carriageway is likely to remain closed throughout the night to allow all lanes to be resurfaced following this incident. Please allow extra time for your journey."
The fire service tweeted while the fire was ongoing: “We are currently at a large incident on the M1 please avoid the area as much as possible.”
At least six crews have attended including from St Albans, Hemel Hempstead, Garston, Redbourn, and Markyate.
*****We are currently at a large incident on the M1 please avoid the area as much as possible ***** 🚒🚒🚒🚒🚒🚒🧑🚒🔥
— Herts Fire Control (@HertsFRSControl) August 24, 2022
Hertfordshire Constabulary said: “We're currently assisting the fire service at the scene of a lorry fire on the M1 southbound, between junctions 7 and 6a.
“Motorists are asked to please avoid the area at this time.”
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