Chaos erupted on the M5 after a lorry carrying batteries and household appliances burst into flames.
Fire crews raced to the scene near Exeter after the vehicle caught fire on the northbound carriageway between junctions 30 and 29 on Wednesday (15 October) morning.
Thick smoke was seen billowing into the sky as the trailer became completely engulfed, as reported by Need To Know.
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Emergency services quickly closed the motorway, cutting off access to Exeter Services, while nearby residents were urged to keep windows and doors shut.
Devon and Cornwall Police, National Highways, and multiple fire crews from Newton Abbot, Danes Castle, Middlemoor, and Bovey Tracey were on the scene.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the lorry was already “well alight” when firefighters arrived, with flames and smoke pouring from the trailer.
Crews battled the blaze for several hours, later pulling apart the remaining scrap metal to ensure it didn’t reignite.
The motorway remained shut for most of the day, finally reopening at around 9:20 pm.
Newton Abbot Fire Station said on Facebook:
“We understand that today’s incident put the local road networks under extreme pressure, with the M5 being closed for our safety.
“However, we would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we dealt with this fire.”
The Environment Agency confirmed it is “actively monitoring” nearby waterways for any impact following the blaze, adding that “natural dilution from river flow and tide will help reduce the risk”.
No injuries were reported, but the fire caused hours of disruption for motorists across the region.
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