Video shows lithium-ion battery lorry fire on M3 motorway
The fire, which happened between J3 and J4 of the M3, caused significant tailbacks towards J5, Hook[1]. Residents of Basingstoke were caught in the incident, including taxi driver Dell Holmes, who was taking a client to the airport. He said: "I was the third or fourth car from the front, I was taking a guy to the airport when it happened.
He's unfortunately missed his flight now. "There was about a 15-mile tailback, all the way to Hook. "They obviously decided it wasn't going to explode and started letting us out, but it was still blazing out when we drove past."
Mr Holmes explained that drivers got out of their cars while the trafffic was at a standstill and chatted to each other. A spokesperson for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said: "Rushmoor firefighters were called to the M3 northbound between junctions 4 and 5 at 05:20 this morning following reports of a large vehicle fire. 
"On arrival, crews found a waste lorry carrying mixed electrical waste, including a significant quantity of lithium-ion batteries, well alight on the hard shoulder. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used hose reel jets to bring the fire safely under control. "The stop message was received at 08:35, after which the incident was handed over to National Highways.
"The fire may have potentially been caused by lithium-ion batteries within the load."