M5 traffic: Drivers leave cars as huge lorry fire closes motorway and causes travel chaos

Motorists are facing travel chaos with the closed in both directions in Somerset due to a massive fire on a lorry which was carrying potentially hazardous chemicals.

Images show people having got out of their and chatting in the stationary traffic with the completely shut between junction 23 for Bridgwater and junction 22 for Burnham-on-Sea following the lorry fire which started at 9.21am today.

The lorry fire happened on the southbound lanes but the carriageway was also closed northbound due to heavy smoke that can be seen billowing up into the sky. There is also congestion on local roads through East Huntspill, Bridgwater and Highbridge as traffic tries to divert away from the motorway.

Emergency services - including - are on the scene and queues have reached four miles long with delays of around two hours. Motorists are being advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes if they have to travel.

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"National Highways is advising drivers intending to use the M5 to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys following an earlier serious incident in North Somerset," stated the agency. "The incident occurred on the southbound carriageway at 9.21am and with the LGV carrying potentially hazardous chemicals, National Highways is advising drivers in trapped traffic to stay in their vehicles while the fire service work to extinguish the fire."

It said drivers caught within the closure will be released via the back of the queue. It stated: "The M5 in Somerset is closed in both directions between J22 (Burnham on Sea) and J23 (Puriton) due to a serious lorry fire. Emergency services including Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue are on scene. National Highways Traffic Officers are also on scene to assist with traffic management. Please remain in your vehicles and await instruction from a traffic officer or police."

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service gave an update this afternoon to say that the northbound carriageway has now been reopened. It stated: "We are currently on-site at a lorry fire on the M5 motorway’s hard shoulder, between Junctions 22 (Edithmead) and 23 (Dunball). The lorry was transporting milk powder and diesel, and we are using a telehandler to safely offload these materials. The driver is unharmed.

"The southbound carriageway remains closed as our teams work to fully extinguish the fire; however, the northbound carriageway has now been reopened, with a reduced speed limit in place. We are collaborating closely with partner agencies, including the police and the Environment Agency." And confirmed: "Northbound is open but the tailback is back to jnc 25. Southbound is still closed while fire deal and the tailback is to jnc 20."

The latest log from Inrix reports: "M5 Southbound closed, severe delays due to lorry fire from J22 (Burnham-on-sea) to J23 A39 (Bridgwater North). Congestion to J25 (Taunton) and J20 (Clevedon), also solid through East Huntspill, Bridgwater, Highbridge, East Brent and Weston Super Mare as traffic divert away. Note change of details.

"Camera shows northbound has now reopened and a lane closure is in place on the southbound side for the trapped traffic to go past. Diversion - Southbound to leave at J22 (Burnham-On-Sea) towards the A38 and Northbound to leave at J23 (Bridgwater North) towards the A38."