The M11 has been closed this afternoon due to a lorry fire, with queues forming in both directions.
The blaze broke out near London Stansted Airport, with videos of the incident circulating on social media.
Emergency services were called to the incident today at 4.57pm and discovered an HGV completely alight.
The lorry was carrying aerosol cans which exploded, but the driver was not seriously hurt, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said.
Highways England warned the road would be shut for some time and advised motorists to seek alternative routes, Essex Live reports.
Have you witnessed the fire? If so email webnews@reachplc.com
They tweeted: "M11 closed J10 to 8 Southbound for a Lorry #Fire, this will also affect the J9 entry slip from the #A11, Northbound also closed J8/9. "Please avoid the area at all costs as this will be closed for some time. #StanstedAirPort #Stansted #StompsCross."
Witness Elena Merino said: “The aerosol cans landed as far away as the sheep field opposite our house.
“The sound of them exploding was something else!”
Essex Police attended the scene of the incident between Junction 10 and Junction 8 alongside firefighters.
They tweeted: "We are currently on the scene of a vehicle fire on the #M11.
"Officers will be closing the M11 on both carriageways between Junctions 8 and 9 and the on-slip for the #A11.
"Please seek another route if you can."
There is a 40-mile diversion in place for southbound traffic, Highways England said.
Northbound traffic is also being diverted with a 30-mile alternative route.
According to Highways England's live traffic site, the event is not expected to clear before 9pm.
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said the fire is now under control, but the road will be closed into the evening so the debris can be cleared.
Station Manager Dave Bond said: "The articulated lorry was carrying aerosol cans which exploded and scattered across both side of the carriageway. Thankfully the driver was not badly hurt.
"I must praise crews who worked extremely hard to establish a water supply in such a remote location and quickly get the incident under control.
"Unfortunately, the road will be closed for some time due to the extent of the fire."
