THE M1 is shut after a lorry horrifically caught on fire – as emergency services raced to the scene.
Motorists have been urged to plan ahead as all traffic has been held between J29 and 28 for Chesterfield and Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
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Police and the fire service were called at just after 6am to reports of a lorry engulfed in flames.
Drivers have been warned of long delays as a recovery team deals with the incident.
Two lanes remain closed on the M1 Southbound from J29 A617 (Chesterfield/Mansfield) to J28 A38 (Alfreton/Mansfield).
National Highways East Midlands said: “Traffic has been stopped on the M1 southbound in Derbyshire between J29 (Chesterfield) and J28 (Mansfield) due to a lorry fire.
“Emergency services are just arriving on scene. Thanks for your patience if you’re held up.”
This comes just hours after the motorway shut in both directions, following a crash that sparked four-mile queues during rush hour.
Huge queues built up during rush hour as the motorway was completely closed between Lutterworth and Leicester for northbound traffic.
National Highways said previously: “Lane 3 (of 3) is closed on the #M1 northbound between J20 (#Lutterworth) and J21 (#M69 #Leicester) due to a collision.
“Traffic Officers are on scene.
“There are 30 min delays above normal journey time with 4 miles congestion.”
The collision happened on the northbound side near Dunton Bassett, Leicester, yesterday afternoon following a crash including a motorbike.
The traffic organisation urged drivers to “please allow time” for delays to clear.
Google Maps suggested traffic was taking around half an hour to pass through the five-mile-long affected section.
Real-time traffic data analysis taken by Inrix stated the crash happened in the third lane of the motorway near the central reservation.
In an update issued yesterday afternoon, National Highways said: “All lanes have reopened on the M1 northbound between J20 (Lutterworth) and J21 (M69/Leicester) following an earlier collision.
“There are 3 miles congestion following this incident so please allow time for delays to clear.”