A huge mushroom cloud towered over the M5 this morning after a lorry carrying nine electric cars burst into flames, causing hours of chaos for drivers.
Fire crews were called when the blaze broke out around 6.30am today, quickly engulfing the vehicle transporter loaded with electric cars.
It is believed the EVs were from the Chinese manufacturer BYD.
Within minutes, huge plumes of smoke went up into the air, forcing the closure of both carriageways of the M5 between J28 at Cullompton and J29 for Exeter.
Gridlock followed on both sides of the motorway, with traffic diverted through Cullompton where vehicles were left barely moving.
National Highways warned of delays of up to 40 minutes, while police shared images of the blackened wreckage left behind.
Devon and Cornwall Police’s Road Policing Team posted a picture of the aftermath of the fire, which has now been extinguished.
The picture shows the charred cars still attached to the lorry as firefighters kept watch nearby.
The northbound carriageway has reopened at around 10.15am, while southbound continues closed as crews work to remove the lorry.
Although the cause of the fire is still unknown, a spokesman for the fire brigade has said it is not suspicious.
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Roads Policing Team said: ‘Fire is currently out on M5.
‘The northbound carriageway is opening, however southbound will remain closed pending recovery/monitoring to ensure nothing reignites.
‘Thank you for your patience.’
A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said: ‘We were called at 6.38am to reports of a vehicle fire on the M5 between junctions 28 and 29.
‘On arrival, a car transporter carrying nine electric vehicles was fully involved in fire.’
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