UPDATE: Vehicle fire on M5 near J23 (From Somerset County Gazette)

UPDATE: Vehicle fire on M5 near J23

5:08pm Tuesday 24th July 2012 in News By Kirsty James

THE CAUSE of a vehicle fire which sparked multiple calls from motorists on the M5 southbound this week was accidental.

Police received reports of an accident at 4.44pm on Tuesday (July 24) and the fire service received multiple calls for a car on fire on the M5 between Junctions 22 and 23.

A spokesman for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said: “Two fire appliances, one from Bridgwater and one from Burnham were mobilised. On arrival crews found a minibus alight, with large volumes of smoke.

“Crews fought the fire wearing breathing apparatus and used compressed foam to extinguish the fire, then continued to damp down vehicle. The cause of the fire was accidental.”

Andy Nelms, from Stawell near Bridgwater, drove past the scene. He said: “There was a massive blaze where a large van was completely on fire on the hard shoulder "There was loads of black smoke and you could feel the heat as you drove past.”