TWO lanes of the M53 were closed near Ellesmere Port this afternoon (Wednesday, November 27) as crews tackled a vehicle fire.

Fire engines from Chester and Powey Lane stations arrived at the scene on the northbound carriageway between junctions 10 and 11 at around 12.30pm.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used a hose reel jet to extinguish a fire involving a hybrid vehicle.

Once the fire was out, crews continued to monitor the engine compartment with a thermal imaging camera, while the battery was isolated, and the vehicle made safe for recovery.

National Highways report that the inside lane is currently still closed, with the area likely to be cleared within the next half an hour.

There are currently delays but normal traffic conditions are expected to resume by around 2pm.