M8 fireball horror as car engulfed in flames on busy motorway with fire crews called

Police were forced to close a section of the busy M8 after a motor was engulfed in flames near Harthill.

Emergency services remain in attendance at the scene on the eastbound carriageway between Junction 5 and 6 on Friday afternoon.

The motor burst into flames at around 4pm (Lynsey Fojut)

Motorists were being warned to expect delays of around 20 minutes while fire crews tackled the blaze which broke out at around 4pm.

Shocking pictures from the scene show flames shooting out the engine of the white Range Rover while thick, black smoke billowed into the air.

It is understood that no one was injured during the incident.

A tweet from Traffic Scotland said: “M8 closed E/B between J5-6 due to a vehicle fire. “Emergency services in attendance.”

Motorists are being warned to expect delays (Lynsey Fojut)

They later added: " All lanes now running E/B between J6-5 following an earlier vehicle fire. Busy but moving on the approach. Approx 20 minute travel time."

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We were called around 3.45pm on Friday, 3 December, to a report of a car on fire on the hard shoulder of the M8 at Harthill near junction 5, eastbound.

“Two lanes were closed while the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service attended.

"The road re-opened fully around 4.25pm."

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here .