A quick-thinking lorry driver stopped a motorway fire from becoming “much more significant”, according to a fire and rescue service.

An HGV tractor unit broke out in flames just before sunrise this morning (Sunday, October 29) between junctions 10 and 9 of the M40 southbound.

Upon noticing the fire, the HGV driver detached his trailer and drove forward.

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thisisoxfordshire: Pictures from the scene

Crews from Bicester Fire Station, Kidlington Fire Station, Banbury Fire Station and a water carrier from Wheatley Fire Station were called to the scene at 5.35am.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said the driver’s actions “prevented a much more significant fire” as crews were able to stop the unit being fully engulfed in the flames.

Fire crews wearing breathing apparatus used a hose reel to extinguish the blaze and prevent it reaching the cab.