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M5 closed near Exeter after car transporter fire | M5 closed near Exeter after car transporter fire |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Fire services are at the scene on the M5 between Cullompton and Exeter | Fire services are at the scene on the M5 between Cullompton and Exeter |
A stretch of the M5 has been closed in both directions due to a fire on a lorry carrying electric vehicles. | 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 Devon between junction 28 at Cullompton and junction 29 for Exeter after the incident at just after 06:30 BST, police said. | 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 on the southbound carriageway and five Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue crews 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 advised drivers to avoid the area as the "incident has resulted in significant traffic issues". | Devon & Cornwall Police advised drivers to avoid the area as the "incident has resulted in significant traffic issues". |
Diversions are in place and drivers are advised to avoid the area | Diversions are in place and drivers are advised to avoid the area |
Diversions are in place with routes taking motorists through Cullompton, Westcott, Budlake and Broadclyst, National Highways said. | Diversions are in place with routes taking motorists through Cullompton, Westcott, Budlake and Broadclyst, National Highways said. |
Dan Cooke said he had been in the traffic for an hour and a half and had seen the vehicle go up in flames. | 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 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. | He added: "Currently there are lots of emergency services here. Several fire engines. |
"It's still smouldering but looks completely destroyed to be honest." | "It's still smouldering but looks completely destroyed to be honest." |
The road is closed | |
National Highways said teams did not have an estimate on when the carriageway would reopen. | 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". | A spokesperson said they were "expecting this to be several hours as the incident remains ongoing". |
Nine electric vehicles were on the lorry that caught fire | |
A spokesperson for Devon County Council said there awas higher than normal traffic volumes on diversion routes. | |
They said there were severe delays at Bickleigh Bridge on the A396 and said people should expect delays. | |
Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. |