THE M11 in Essex has partially reopened this morning after exploding aerosols turned a lorry into a huge fireball.

Both carriageways were closed by police between junctions ten and eight, near Stansted Airport, just after 5pm when a HGV went up in flames.

The closure remained in place throughout the night and officers at the scene spent several hours turning vehicles around which were stuck in long queues.

In an update at 9am this morning, Highways England said one lane on both the southbound and northbound carriageways had reopened.

However, one lane on both sides remain closed to allow for emergency repairs to be carried out on the central reservation.

Queues have quickly built up throughout the morning on the northbound carriageway and were said to be six miles long by 7.15am.

Pictures from the scene taken yesterday showed the HGV – which was carrying aerosols - had been completely destroyed in the fire.

Police said no serious injuries had been reported from the incident.

Station Manager Dave Bond said: "The articulated lorry was carrying aerosol cans which exploded and scattered across both side of the carriageway. Thankfully the driver was not badly hurt.

"I must praise crews who worked extremely hard to establish a water supply in such a remote location and quickly get the incident under control.

"Unfortunately, the road will be closed for some time due to the extent of the fire."