A CAR caught fire on the M3 near Basingstoke this morning.

Two lanes were blocked on the northbound carriage between Junction 7 (A30) at Dummer and J6 (A339) at Basingstoke as firefighters attended the scene.

Firefighters from Basingstoke, Winchester and Odiham were called to the scene, where a grey Citreon C4 Picasso vehicle had caught fire, which had spread to the embankment on the other side of the motorway.

The vehicle was completely destroyed, but no injuries reported, and police have said the incident "is not being treated as suspicious at this time".

The fire was tackled using a two sets of breathing apparatus and hose reels, and the stop message came in at 12:23.

A spokesperson for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said: "Basingstoke and Winchester crews were mobilised at 11:38 to a vehicle fire on the M3 northbound between junction 7 and 6.

"The fire had spread to the embankment on the other side of the motorway. The vehicle was destroyed in the fire which was extinguished using two sets of breathing apparatus and two hose reels.

"The small embankment fire was dealt with by a crew from Odiham who used one hose reel jet to stop the fire spreading."

Two lanes were blocked on the northbound carriageway, but traffic also came to a standstill southbound.

One motorist who go caught in traffic while travelling home to Brighton Hill told the Gazette: "I am travelling southbound on the M3 between Junction 6 and 7 and the traffic started to slow down in front of me. There is no traffic on the other side of the carriage way, and traffic is building up on this side too."

The eye-witness said they could see four fire engines and "a number of police" in attendance. 

They added: "I can see blue flashing lights and a plume of white smoke."

Police remain on the scene, with one lane northbound still closed to traffic.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: "We were called at 11.38am this morning (Wednesday 14 April) to reports that a grey Citroen C4 Picasso was alight on the M3 northbound carriageway between junctions 7 and 6.

"Officers attended and are currently at the scene.

"No injuries have been reported. The fire is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

"Both carriageways were closed for a short time. The southbound carriageway is now fully open. Lane one of the northbound carriageway remains closed at this time."