Dramatic video has captured a lorry engulfed in flames on the M1 which has caused the motorway to be shut near Leicester.

Emergency services were alerted to the fire around 12.45pm and pictures of the blaze have been shared across social media where people have reported hearing bangs like “fireworks”.

The motorway is closed between J21 for Leicester and J20 for Lutterworth and significant delays are being reported. Authorities have issues advice to motorists on alternative routes.

It is not known if anyone has been injured and police are yet to comment. 

Dramatic footage of a lorry fire on the #M1 in Leicestershire. The motorway remains closed in both directions between J20 and J21. pic.twitter.com/UBA4bVkOIL

October 31, 2017
** TRAFFIC UPDATE AT 1245HRS ** M1 BETWEEN J21 & J20 – NORTHBOUND & SOUTHBOUND closed due to a Lorry Fire – updates to follow
Wow! Huge fire on M1 covering two carriageways. Explosions like machine gun fire – I bet it’s a fireworks shipment. pic.twitter.com/CnI41Q2bpN
M1 closed in both directions due to a lorry fire in Leicestershire – @HighwaysEMIDS have tweeted a diversion route https://t.co/XnCIyZ8R8B pic.twitter.com/S49FMRJmj1 — ITV News Central (@ITVCentral) October 31, 2017
#M1 is closed in both directions btwn J20 and J21 due to a lorry fire. More info and diversion here: https://t.co/Jw8YJIGQbm