Flaming Lorry with Nine Electric Cars Sparks M5 Chaos
Chaos erupted on the M5 early this morning when a lorry carrying nine electric cars burst into flames. The blaze broke out on the southbound carriageway between junctions 28 and 29 at around 6:30am, forcing a total shutdown of the motorway. Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (DSFRS) declared a major incident as thick black smoke filled the sky.
Fireballs, Smoke, and Traffic Nightmare
Motorists were trapped in severe gridlock as the inferno raged. Witness Dan Cooke told BBC Radio 1, “It was like a firework show, a huge fireball exploding across the M5.” Firefighters battled the blaze for hours while the charred lorry smouldered on the carriageway.
The northbound side reopened by 10:20am, but the southbound lanes stayed closed until about 6pm, causing major tailbacks. Police urged drivers to avoid the area amid widespread disruption.
Complex Recovery Leaves Delays Until Further Notice
Fire crews managed to remove the cars from the top deck of the transporter, but the lower deck vehicles must cool down before they can be safely extracted. DSFRS described the operation as a “complex vehicle recovery”—and warned that major resurfacing work will be needed on the motorway.
County Council reports severe backups on diversion routes, especially the A396 at junction 1. Drivers should expect heavy delays for days to come.
Stay tuned for updates as crews race to clear the wreckage and fully reopen this vital M5 stretch.
