Fire engine had to turn back because of gridlocked motorway

Fire crews rushed to a van blaze on the M1 today – but one engine had to turn back after getting stuck in the traffic.

A watch commander has spoken of his frustration at not being able to reach his destination because of gridlock.

Wakefield and Ossett stations received a call about a carpeting van which had burst into flames at the slip road between junction 39 and 40.

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A male driver noticed his vehicle was smoking, and had to flee after flames broke out.

But because of ongoing roadworks there is no hard shoulder, leaving the crews stuck.

Back-up was called from Dewsbury, who – after racing to the scene contraflow – assisted the Ossett crew in extinguishing the blaze which had ripped through the Vauxhall van.

The man was treated for a small burn on his foot.

Watch commander at Wakefield Fire Station, Richard Hames, said: “It took us 55 minutes from start to finish and we didn’t squirt any water.

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“It was more frustrating than anythinig else, there was no way for the public to move out the way.

“If it was a car accident with people trapped, we would’ve had to rely on mobilising other pumps. We are looking at engines from quite a distance.”

He appealed for drivers to “take a little bit extra care because it might be that emergency services are having difficulty getting to people in time.”

Northbound and southbound carriageways were temporarily closed, causing gridlock.