Lorry carrying 17 tonnes of waste catches fire on M5 near Exeter
A lorry carrying several tonnes of household waste caught fire on the M5[1] earlier today. One lane was closed on the motorway while fire engines tackled the blaze, between junctions 28 and 29 at Exeter[2] on Thursday afternoon (October 9). Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue[3] Service were called to the motorway, where a lorry carrying 17 tonnes of household waste was on fire.
The lorry was moved to Cullompton[4] Services, where the trailer was emptied of its contents so the fire could be extinguished. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said in a statement: "We were called at 1.20pm to a lorry carrying 17 tonnes of household waste on fire on the hard shoulder.
Emergency services were called to the scene (Image: Submitted)
"We sent three pumping appliances and relocated the lorry to Cullompton Services where the trailer was emptied of its waste contents so that the fire could be fully extinguished using hose reel jets, breathing apparatus and drag forks. "One lane of the northbound carriageway was closed initially.
Accidental cause."
References
- ^ the M5 (www.devonlive.com)
- ^ Exeter (www.devonlive.com)
- ^ Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue (www.devonlive.com)
- ^ Cullompton (www.devonlive.com)