TRAFFIC was running normally by noon yesterday on one of the North-East's busiest roads after a factory fire caused disruptions lasting nearly 24 hours.

Thousands of motorists were caught up in delays after police blocked off the A1(M) at its junction with the A194(M) as unstable acetylene cylinders threatened to explode. The fire broke out at Dales Fabrications on the Crowther Industrial Estate, Washington, at noon on Tuesday. The A1(M) was closed for several hours, while the A194(M) remained closed until noon yesterday.

An AA spokesman said the closure of the A194(M) had not caused as many problems as the previous day. Many drivers had seen the publicity and given the area a wide berth.