M8 carriageway reopens to traffic after vehicle fire near Harthill

The M8 has reopened to traffic after a vehicle fire closed the busy route for part of the afternoon.

Traffic had been blocked on the eastbound carriageway after the fire broke out near Harthill at around 2.20pm.

The M8 eastbound carriageway has been closed to traffic following a vehicle fire near Harthill Services | Traffic Scotland

Traffic Scotland warned drivers to expect delays, with large plumes of smoke also causing issues on the westbound carriageway, which remained open as normal.

While the eastbound carriageway was blocked for almost an hour, Traffic Scotland has confirmed that the route has fully reopened again with “only minor delays reported in the area”.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 1.52pm on Wednesday, 28 October to reports of a heavy goods vehicle on fire at Heartlands Terrace, near the M8 in Bathgate.

“Operations Control mobilised two fire appliances to the area.

“There are no reported casualties and crews remain in attendance.”

Police Scotland has also been contacted for comment.