Fire Engulfs Car Transporter Carrying Nine Vehicles on M6 in Cumbria

A car transporter carrying nine vehicles caught fire on the M6 motorway in Cumbria, prompting a major emergency response and the temporary closure of the southbound carriageway.

The incident occurred at around 6pm on Friday, October 16, just south of Todhills Services. Fire crews from Longtown, Carlisle and Wigton in Cumbria, supported by firefighters from Gretna in Scotland, were dispatched to tackle the blaze.

On arrival, firefighters found the transporter’s tractor unit and all nine vehicles engulfed in flames. Crews initially used breathing apparatus and a compressed-air foam system to fight the fire, with additional firefighters deploying a main water jet to help control the blaze.

The southbound carriageway was closed for more than three hours to protect emergency personnel and motorists while firefighting operations continued.

Once the fire was brought under control, contractors were called in to remove the damaged vehicles. One fire engine remained at the scene to monitor the situation and prevent the fire from reigniting.

Highways teams subsequently took responsibility for the affected area and planned to assess the road surface after the vehicles had been cleared.

The incident required a coordinated response from emergency services and highway authorities to manage the fire, remove the damaged transporter and restore normal traffic conditions.

Got a news story or tip to share? Contact our editorial team by emailing news@lakelandpost.co.uk or call us directly on 0333 090 2080.