Announcing the news at around 3.15pm, Leicestershire Fire Constabulary said that the incident had occurred between Junction 21 and 22, on the westerly outskirts of Leicester. They advised that delays were "possible" and to "avoid [the] area. Fire Service are in attendance and dealing with incident.

       Leiceter Traffic Control said that as of 3.30pm, the M1 was blocked as the fire services put out the fire. "Avoid this stretch of the M1 if possible," it said, as "it could take sometime."

       National Highways East Midlands said on Twitter ten minutes ago that "all traffic" was being held northbound.

       "The southbound carriageway has a lane 4 closure in place as well," it added.

       More to follow...

       There have been reports of traffic building on the southbound carriageway between Junction 21 and 21A.

       Junction 21 is the intersection of the M1 and the M69, while Junction 22 is where the M1 intersects with the A50.

       Junction 21A is where the M1 leads into the Leicester Western Bypass. In between the two is the turn-off for the Welcome Break Leceister Forest East service station.