ROADS surrounding the city were brought to gridlock after a car fire on the motorway. 

Firefighters were first called to the incident just before 7am and all three of the M5 Southbound lanes were closed today (November 14) . 

The driver was able to get the car onto the hard shoulder and the fire was dealt with in just over an hour. 

A Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "Two crews – one each from Worcester and Malvern Fire Stations – were called at 6.45am on November 14 to a small vehicle on fire on the M5 Southbound between junctions 7 and 8.

"A car was well alight on the hard shoulder of the motorway and the fire was fought by two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and using one hosereel jet.

"All lanes of the M5 Southbound were closed."

Police were alerted to the incident but did not attend. 

A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: "This was reported to us at around 6.50am but according to our log there was no requirement for police to attend and it was all dealt with by the fire service and highways."

The fire caused long delays on the motorway of almost an hour as well as caused heavy traffic on the A38 through Severn Stoke and surrounding roads.