A coach carrying Manchester City fans burst into flames on the M6 near junction three, causing significant travel disruption for supporters heading to the Carabao Cup final at Wembley. The incident occurred earlier today, just hours before the match, which is set to kick off at 4:30pm.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the passengers or the driver. Ridley Coaches, the operator of the vehicle, confirmed that all passengers were safely evacuated before firefighters arrived on the scene.
The fire led to a complete standstill of traffic on the M6, with the southbound lanes closed between T4 (Weeford) and T2 (Coleshill). Emergency services, including the Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service, quickly responded to the incident to manage the situation.
In a statement, Ridley Coaches said, “We can confirm an incident occurred involving one of our coaches on the M6 Toll southbound earlier today.” They also reassured the public, stating, “All passengers and the driver were safely evacuated with no injuries.”
As a result of the fire, passengers were transferred to replacement coaches to continue their journey to Wembley, ensuring that they could still attend the highly anticipated match.
National Highways confirmed the closure of the M6 Toll, stating, “The M6 Toll in Warwickshire is closed southbound between T4 (Weeford) and T2 (Coleshill) due to a coach fire.” This closure has caused significant delays for many fans eager to reach the stadium.
As the situation develops, observers are keeping a close eye on the traffic conditions and the response from emergency services. The community is coming together to support those affected by the disruption, with many offering assistance and updates through social media.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the cause of the fire, but investigations are likely to follow as authorities work to understand what led to this alarming incident.
