FIREFIGHTERS used their engines to 'fend off' traffic on the M6 as they dealt with car blaze which is causing long delays.

Crews were called shortly before 1pm to a car alight on the M6 southbound between junction 18, for Middlewich, and junction 17, for Sandbach.

Engines from Sandbach, Crewe, and Alsager, were used to direct traffic away from firefighters, who wore wearing breathing apparatus to tackle the blaze with a hose reel. 

Two lanes remain closed while the car is recovered, and drivers are being warned of a five-mile tailback, which is causing delays of 50 minutes.

A spokesman for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Crews were called to a vehicle fire in lane one of the motorway.

"The fire engines were used to fend off the traffic while they dealt with the incident.

"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used a hose reel jet to extinguish the flames. Police and Highways were on scene to manage the traffic.

"Fire crews were in attendance for one hour."

A spokesman for Nation Highways North West said: “Two lane are closed on the M6 southbound between junction 18, for Middle, and junction 17, for Congleton, due to a car fire.

“There is approximately five miles of congestion and is causing about half an hour delays.

"Normal traffic conditions are expected to return by 3.30pm."