Van fire closes carriageway and slip road at Wirral's motorway (From Wirral Globe)

Van fire closes carriageway and slip road at Wirral's motorway

2:36pm Wednesday 13th March 2013 in News

Firefighters were called into action today when a flat-bed van burst into flames forcing the closure of a slip road and one lane of Wirral's motorway.

The alarm was raised at around 11.30am.

When crews arrived at the scene near Junction 3 at Arrowe Park they found the van well alight.

The Highways Agency closed a lane of the M53 near the hard shoulder and shutdown the slip road allowing firefighters to tackle the flames.

A spokesman for Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service said: “Large volumes of smoke were crossing the motorway and firefighters had to act quickly to extinguish the fire.”

The engine compartment of the vehicle was severely damaged.

The fire was out by 12.25pm. 

The driver of the van was unharmed.

An appliance from Upton and one from Birkenhead attended.