PHOTOS: Large lorry fire closes M5 in Devon for several hours
A lorry fire caused a section of the M5 in Devon to close for several hours this morning.
The articulated lorry and trailer caught fire on the southbound carriageway of the motorway between Cullompton and Exeter at around 5.45am.
Police and fire crews rushed to the scene after a number of passing motorists rang 999 to report the incident.
Officers closed both sides of the motorway while fire crews from Cullompton, Middlemoor and the water carrier from Danes Castle, attempted to get the fire under control.
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Firefighters described the large goods vehicle as “well alight” and used one hose reel jet, a main jet from the water bowser and two sets of breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire.
Due to heavy smoke and billowing flames, both carriageways of the motorway were closed for some time.
Police said at one point there were around 50 stationary vehicles backed-up on the southbound carriageway.
The northbound carriageway was initially fully closed before one lane was reopened. All three lanes of the northbound carriageway were re-opened as normal at 7am.
The southbound carriageway remained closed until 7.30am when lane 3 was re-opened. Speed restrictions of 40mph remain in place and traffic is heavy in the area.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the lorry, trailer and its contents were destroyed by the fire which was caused by “accidental ignition”.
6 Comments
by hamish1511
Friday, March 15 2013, 3:58PM
“sorry my comment appears 3 times but each time I did it I had pop up telling me it had not been accepted”
by e_glanfield
Friday, March 15 2013, 3:16PM
“Hi both.
Hamish1511 - We were having problems with photos showing on this story earlier on but I can assure you all problems have now been resolved and the photos should display correctly.
tbalment - In articles like this we have to rely on the official line given to us by the emergency services. In this case, DSFRS informed us the official cause was "accidental ignition". In most cases this means it was a mechanical failure in the engine or other compartment of the vehicle.
Hope this helps. Thanks.”
by hamish1511
Friday, March 15 2013, 2:06PM
“Heading says -PHOTOS: Large lorry fire closes M5 in Devon for several hours - am I having problems with my eyes or are PHOTOS conspicuous by their absence.”
by hamish1511
Friday, March 15 2013, 2:05PM
“Heading says -PHOTOS: Large lorry fire closes M5 in Devon for several hours - am I having problems with my eyes or are PHOTOS conspicuous by their absence.”
by hamish1511
Friday, March 15 2013, 2:05PM
“Heading says -PHOTOS: Large lorry fire closes M5 in Devon for several hours - am I having problems with my eyes or are PHOTOS conspicuous by their absence”
by tbalment
Friday, March 15 2013, 12:56PM
“Can anyone please define the term,"Accidental Ignition".In other words,what caused the fire?
More detail please.We want meaningful reporting.”