BROMSGROVE commuters travelling on the M5 faced delays after a lorry, carrying a 30 tonne crane, set alight on Monday afternoon.
The eight-wheeled lorry pulled over to the hard shoulder of the southbound carriageway, near Frankley Services, after the driver noticed smoke bellowing from the back of the vehicle.
A West Midlands fire crew from Halesowen were called to the blaze at 3.41pm and used foam to control it.
It later had to be cleared from the motorway.
Although the southbound carriageway was closed for more than two hours, traffic continued to flow with motorists using the service station to exit and rejoin the motorway.
Firefighters left the scene at 6pm but the road did not reopen until later resulting in delays for motorists during rush hour.
West Midlands Fire Services spokesman John Fyall said: "This was a tricky fire to deal with as it was a huge crane, causing a great deal of chaos at a busy time on one of the Midland's busiest motorways."
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