THE Westlink in Belfast was closed in both directions last night after a lorry caught fire.
Video footage showed the front of the vehicle ablaze shortly after 5pm.
Police said the lorry went on fire just before the Clifton Street off-slip on the citybound side of the Westlink.
A PSNI spokesperson said the Westlink was then closed in both directions "to allow NIFRS to deal with the fire". The M1 bound lane was re-opened a short time later.
The blaze caused traffic gridlock along the busy route as motorists were forced to seek an alternative route.
There were also reports that large plumes of smoke caused visibility issues for motorists travelling in the area.
