Lorry trailer packed full of aerosols explodes on the M1

Motorists watched in horror as a lorry stacked full of aerosols went up in flames on a motorway.

Traffic stopped dead on the M1 in Leicestershire as drivers witnessed the dramatic display.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue rushed to scene and managed to put the fire out, but the road remained closed in both directions between junctions 20 and 21 for several hours.

Traffic stopped dead on the M1 in Leicestershire as drivers witnessed the dramatic display

It is believed the fire started when the driver slammed on his breaks after a tyre blowout. The heat generated then ignited the aerosols.

The incident happened around 12:30pm on October 31.

Footage of the burning trailer was shot by Jack Taylor, who works in the construction industry, as he crossed over a motorway bridge.

Jack, 25, said: ‘I’m not sure how it started but the trailer caught fire and burned very quickly.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue rushed to scene and managed to put the fire out, but the road remained closed in both directions between junctions 20 and 21 for several hours

‘You can see there are lots of mini explosions coming from the trailer.

‘I thought it was wrong for a learner driver to be carrying a load of flammables. I couldn’t feel the heat from where I was standing but it was fairly loud and scary.

‘I watched it for about 15 mins or so. I was on my way to a job in Leicester.

‘Since posting the video I have got an amazing reaction to it. Some people even thought it was fake.’

A spokesperson for Leicestershire Fire and Rescue said: ‘A lorry caught fire on the M1 southbound containing aerosol cans and other domestic products.

‘The motorway was then closed between J20-21 on both sides due to the danger of aerosol cans involved in the blaze.

‘Two appliances from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service Lutterworth Station and Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service Southern Station and a water carrier from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service Loughborough Station attended the incident, where we used 2 hose reels and 2 breathing apparatus to bring the fire under control.’