A BLAZING lorry laden with explosive canisters caused 15-mile tailbacks on the M5 today.

More than 50 firefighters tackled the burning truck carrying 500 canisters of carbon dioxide gas - said to be potential missiles by Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade.

Thousands of motorists were plunged into chaos as police closed both carriageways of the motorway, allowing crews from Worcestershire and Gloucestershire to douse the burning vehicle.

The driver of the lorry, which caught fire on the southbound exit between Strensham Services and the M50 roundabout, escaped without injury.

Fire brigade spokesman Alec Mackie said the incident would have been considerably worse if firefighters had not managed to keep the canisters from becoming too hot.

"These canisters could have gone off and would have shot across the motorway," he said.

"However, fire crews were able to stop this happening by preventing the fire from reaching the canisters. They used blankets of foam and cooling monitors to keep the canisters from going off like little missiles."

Kate Tonge, of West Mercia police, confirmed officers had closed Junction 7 southbound at Worcester and Junction 8, the M50 junction, northbound on the M5, as well as Junction 1 of the M50.

The closure resulted in 15-mile traffic delays southbound and 10-mile delays on the northbound carriageway before it was reopened at 10am.

"We needed to ensure the road was closed so there was no danger to anyone," she said.

Worcester man Steve Sheppard, a driver for Excel Components on his way to Southampton, said although he was stationary for more than an hour he was pleased the motorway was closed.

"I'd imagine motorists knew what was happening because of radio broadcasts and seemed to accept it," he said.

"No one seemed that upset to me."