Two men, who were in the vehicle, attempted to put out the fire after noticing flames and smoke coming from the engine compartment.

They managed to get the 3.5-tonne white van onto the hard shoulder, about two miles from junction four at Shifnal, before jumping out and raising the alarm at about 7.45am.

Both lanes of the eastbound carriageway were closed for about 15 minutes while firefighters dealt with the incident.

One lane was then opened before the route was completely re-opened at 8.45am.

Drivers were also warned of smoke billowing across the motorway after the fire.

One driver, Pete Wagstaffe, estimated there had been tailbacks of about eight miles on the eastbound carriageway.

Ian Leigh, watch manager at Wellington Fire Station, said: “Firefighters had to dismantle most of the dashboard. It was a van carrying loft insulation but the cargo was untouched.”

Nathan Wallis, Highways Agency spokesman, said there had been delays at the height of the incident.

He added: “As soon as the fire engines were on site they re-opened the outside lane to traffic. The road was fully re-opened at 8.45am.”

Meanwhile, two men were injured after a car ended up on its roof in a field near Bridgnorth.

The driver of the Ford Fiesta managed to get out of his car after it left the carriageway of the road at Muckley Cross, Acton Round, yesterday at 8.45pm. A second car, also a Ford Fiesta, was also involved in the crash.

The driver was treated at the scene for a seat belt injury.