A major highway came to a halt this morning when a truck caught fire, causing significant traffic delays on the M5 southbound in Gloucestershire. The National Highways authority confirmed the closure of the motorway as fire crews worked to extinguish the blaze.
According to a statement from National Highways, the fire has been put out, and recovery efforts are now in progress. The closure spans between junctions 13 and 14, with road users advised to follow diversion signs.
The incident involved a double-deck trailer carrying pallets, which is still impacting traffic as fire crews continue to manage the aftermath. Pictures show heavy traffic congestion in the area following the lorry fire between junctions 13 and 14.
Emergency services, including Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue and the police, are on the scene to deal with the situation. Traffic monitoring reports indicate long delays on the M5 southbound, with diversions in place via the A38 route.
National Highways officials stated that the trailer’s cargo is not hazardous, but a complete closure of the highway is necessary to safely clear the vehicle and debris. Recovery operations are expected to commence after 6am.
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