A bin lorry fire has caused motorists to face delays of up to an hour and a half on the A1(M) in County Durham today - here's what we know so far.

Drivers travelling northbound on the A1(M) between Bowburn and Chester-le-Street have been stuck in standstill traffic after a bin lorry fire broke out just after 9am this morning (October 4).

Multiple fire crews as well as the police rushed to the scene and closed the road to tackle the flames as they urged commuters to find an alternative route.

(Image: JOHN CHAPMAN) Pictures shared on social media show a bin lorry on the hard shoulder up in flames, causing plumes of smoke to fill the air visible for miles.

Some motorists have shared that they have been stuck in standstill traffic from as early as 10:45am as no update has been given for when the road could re-open.

David Lonsdale, who is stuck five miles behind the fire told The Northern Echo he has seen a huge emergency service presence.

He said: "We’ve been stuck in traffic since 10:45am and looking on maps we’re about 5 miles back from the incident.

"We haven’t seen smoke from the fire, I think we’re too far back for that, but we’ve had multiple traffic enforcement vehicles, fire engines and recovery trucks go past within the last hour."

The fire service has since confirmed that three fire engines were sent to the incident, but they have since left the scene.

A County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 9.16am today (October 4) to a vehicle fire on the A1 northbound between Carville and Chester-le-Street.

“Three fire engines from Durham, High Handenhold, and Spennymoor fire stations attended the scene.

“Police closed both carriageways while Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus (BA) put out the fire using two hose reels.

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“Crews have now left the scene.”

A statement given by police reads: "The A1(M) Northbound at Junction 62 Carrville is currently closed due to a bin lorry fire.

"Drivers are asked to avoid the area and find an alternative route."