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M5 closed near Exeter after car transporter fire M5 closed near Exeter after car transporter fire
(32 minutes later)
Fire services are at the scene on the M5 between Cullompton and ExeterFire services are at the scene on the M5 between Cullompton and Exeter
The M5 has been partially closed due to a lorry fire. A stretch of the M5 has been closed in both directions due to a fire on a lorry carrying electric vehicles.
The motorway is shut in both directions between junction 28 at Cullompton and junction 29 for Exeter in Devon. The motorway is shut in Devon between junction 28 at Cullompton and junction 29 for Exeter after the incident at just after 06:30 BST, police said.
National Highways said a car transporter carrying nine electric vehicles had caught fire and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue teams were at the scene. National Highways said a car transporter carrying nine electric vehicles had caught fire on the southbound carriageway and five Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue crews were at the scene.
Devon & Cornwall Police officers are also assisting and Cullompton Fire Station said the road would "likely be closed for a considerable amount of time". Devon & Cornwall Police advised drivers to avoid the area as the "incident has resulted in significant traffic issues".
A diversion is in place Diversions are in place and drivers are advised to avoid the area
The fire service said five appliances were currently at the scene. Diversions are in place with routes taking motorists through Cullompton, Westcott, Budlake and Broadclyst, National Highways said.
National Highways said a diversion was in place through Cullompton, Westcott, Budlake and Broadclyst. Dan Cooke said he had been in the traffic for an hour and a half and had seen the vehicle go up in flames.
He said: "[There were] plumes of smoke, big black smoke, so we all slowed down and it was a big fire ball that went up straight away exploding across the M5. It was almost like a firework show."
He added: "Currently there are lots of emergency services here. Several fire engines.
"It's still smouldering but looks completely destroyed to be honest."
Nine electric vehicles were on the lorry that caught fire
National Highways said teams did not have an estimate on when the carriageway would reopen.
A spokesperson said they were "expecting this to be several hours as the incident remains ongoing".
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