MASSIVE traffic jams were caused when fire tore through a lorry on the M2 during this morning's rush hour. The blaze swamped the 40ft long trailer containing 10 tons of cardboard and then spread to the motorway bank.

One passing motorist said: "It looked pretty dramatic. The flames had completely engulfed the trailer and the sides had been burned out.

Another driver said: "Traffic had been brought completely to a standstill and drivers were getting out of their cars to have a look.

"I was going in the other direction so I wasn't held up but I could see people on the coastbound side getting annoyed by the delays."

The blaze broke out just after 6.30am on the coastbound carriageway between junctions three and four, a mile before the Gillingham turn-off.

A total of six fire vehicles were called out, four pumps and a foam and water unit and firefighters battled to control the blaze for two hours.

Flames reached the bank but crews quickly put these out before they spread. Junction three at Chatham was shut to traffic and the first and second lanes were coned off.

The trailer was completely destroyed and the cause of the fire is not yet known. There were no reports of any injuries.

Fire vehicles called out came from Medway and Strood stations and the Gillingham, Chatham and Larkfield retained stations.