A CAR fire caused the A1(M) to be shut near Welwyn during yesterday’s (Wednesday) evening rush hour.

Flames engulfed the vehicle, a Honda, just north of Junction 6, at about 6.20pm.

Three fire crews, two from Stevenage and one from Welwyn, and police were called to the scene.

The northbound carriageway was closed while the emergency services tackled the blaze. It reopened to traffic just before 7pm.