M5 lanes closed near Wellington due to car transporter blaze

Photo of the M5 Northbound between J27 and J26 for illustrative purposes only. <i>(Image: National Highways)</i>
Photo of the M5 Northbound between J27 and J26 for illustrative purposes only. (Image: National Highways)
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THE M5 northbound was fully closed while emergency services responded to a 'well alight' car transporter carrying three vehicles near Wellington today.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service were called at 11.58am on Wednesday, May 27 to reports of the blaze.

Four fire engines were sent to the scene, and the fire was extinguished using two breathing apparatuses and a hose reel jet.

Fire crews from Cullompton Fire Station, Middlemoor Fire Station, Bridgwater Fire Station and Taunton Fire Station were sent to the scene.

A spokesperson said while the lanes were closed, crews worked to dampen the area to prevent the fire from spreading to the nearby verge.

The fire service confirmed one car has been completely destroyed by the flames, the middle car and the transporter are slightly damaged, and the third car being transported is unaffected.

The spokesperson said: "We were called at 11:58am today to reports of a well-alight small car transporter carrying three vehicles between J27 and J26 on the M5.

"Four appliances attended the scene, and the fire was extinguished using two breathing apparatuses and a hose reel jet.

"Crews continued to dampen the area to prevent the fire from spreading to the nearby verge.

"The affected car is 100% damaged by fire, the middle car and car transporter are 5% damaged by heat, the third car was unaffected."

All lanes of the M5 have since reopened with residual delays of around 10 minutes and two miles of congestion remaining.

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