Firefighters were forced to close a motorway after a lorry burst into flames.

Essex Fire Service were called to a stretch of the M11 close to Hastingwood at around 7.17am yesterday evening (Monday, July 24) to respond to reports of the incident.

When crews arrived they found the cab of the lorry was completely alight, forcing them to close a section of the road between Junctions 6 and 7 in order to deal with the blaze safely.

Five fire engines from Waltham Abbey, Epping, Loughton and Harlow stations were able to extinguish the blaze by 7.45pm and the motorway was reopened shortly after.