Drivers trapped on M5 for hours in four mile queues after lorry inferno sends black smoke billowing over motorway
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Drivers have been stuck in four-mile queues on the M5 for hours after a lorry inferno sent black smoke billowing across the motorway.
The motorway is closed in both directions between junction 22 at Burnham-on-Sea, and junction 23 at Puriton, and has been out of action since 9.35am.
The blaze was first reported at around 9.20am, and the road is expected to remain shut until at least 2pm.
The vehicle was reportedly carrying 'potentially hazardous chemicals' - with the fire service confirming both milk powder and diesel were onboard at the time.
Some drivers were seen outside of their vehicles after the fire initially brought transport to a complete standstill.
Flames spread across the M5 this morning after a lorry carrying diesel fuel caught on fire
Firefighters tackled the blaze, which blew heavy smoke across the whole
The blaze was first reported at around 9.20am, and the road is expected to remain shut until at least 2pm
Motorists reported being stuck at a standstill for up to three-and-a-half-hours.
Video footage of the incident showed the lorry on the side of the road, engulfed in flames, before an explosion.
The driver appeared to remain inside the cab for sometime before realising the scale of the fire and evacuating a few metres up the road.
The northbound carriage has now been reopened, but delays remain and the southbound side remains closed.
Nation Highways said in a statement: '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.
'Traffic caught within the closure will be released via the rear of the queue.
'Please remain in your vehicles and await instruction from a Traffic Officer or Police.'
The lorry was carrying diesel, and small explosions were seen coming from the vehicle as it was set alight
The fire has closed the motorway all day since 9:30am as firefighters deal with the blaze
The lorry was left burnt out with its cargo entirely destroyed - firefighters remain at the scene
Queues of up to four miles were reported, with one motorist complaining they'd been stuck for almost four hours
The M5 is closed in both directions between junction 22 at Burnham-on-Sea, and junction 23 at Puriton, and has been out of action since 9.35am
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: '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.'
North Somerset added it advised motorists to plan journeys carefully and check before travelling.
