M5 Southbound Closed: Rush Hour Chaos Follows โcar Transporter Fire
CULLOMPTON, DEVON – Significant delays are impacting M5 โtraffic this afternoon after aโ car transporter carrying nine electric vehiclesโข caught fire, โclosingโค the southbound โคcarriageway between junctions 28 (Cullompton) and 29 โฃ(near Honiton). The incident, first reported at 6:38 AM, has resulted in approximately fourโค miles of congestion and delays ofโข at least 45 minutes aboveโ normal journey times.
Devon โand Somerset Fire and Rescue Service dispatched six โappliances and two water bowsers to the scene. Crews โฃsuccessfully extinguished the blaze by 1:23โ PM, though temperatures of vehicles โขon the transporter’s lower deck are being monitored to ensure safe recovery. While the northbound carriageway has reopened, theโ southbound remains โclosed as recoveryโ and cleanup operations continue. โค
“We were called at 6.38am to reports of a vehicle fire on the M5โ between junctions 28 and 29,” aโ spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and rescue Service stated. “On arrival, a car transporter โcarrying nine electric vehicles was fully involved in fireโฆOnly a small fire involving carsโ on the top deck remains.”
Devon andโค Cornwall Police are collaboratingโข with Highways toโค manage the traffic backlog. Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes and allow extra timeโ for their journeys.
Updates are available via Devon Live’s live blog: https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/live-m5-closed-vehicle-bursts-10540216