M5 lorry blaze destroys 20 tons of animal feed

Around 20 tons of animal feed went up in smoke during a lorry blaze on the M5 in Somerset this morning (June 22). All traffic had to be held on the Bristol-bound side of the motorway after the incident was reported between junctions 23 for Bridgwater North and 22 for Burnham-on-Sea.

Motorists were eventually allowed to move along again, but lane closures^[1] remained in place. As of 10.15am, lane one is still closed on the M5.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service^[2] confirmed the incident involved a lorry carrying animal feed. A spokesperson for the fire service said the feed was destroyed while the vehicle suffered 80 per cent damage.

The spokesperson said: "Fire control received multiple calls to a lorry on fire on the M5 northbound carriageway just before J22. Control mobilised three fire appliances from Bridgwater and Taunton, water bowser from Bridgwater and environmental protection unit from Taunton.

"Crews have recently arrived on scene and confirmed a flat lorry transporting dried and liquid animal feed is well alight. Crews are currently at work with four breathing apparatus and two main jets in use."

A further update from the fire service added: "Fire involving 20 ton of animal feed and HGV. Fire caused 100 per cent damage to the animal feed and 80 per cent damage to the lorry.

"Crews used four breathing apparatus, two main jets environmental protection unit to contain leaking animal feed."

References

1. ^{^} lane closures (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
3. ^{^} M5 traffic held after lorry bursts into flames in Somerset (www.somersetlive.co.uk)