Drivers are warned of miles of queues ahead of rush hour
17:22, 01 Oct 2025Updated 17:50, 01 Oct 2025
Drivers are stuck in traffic as smoke plumes over the M5(Image: Submitted)
Drivers have been warned of miles of queues and long delays on the M5 ahead of rush hour after a huge fire broke out this morning (Wednesday, October 1).
Over ten hours after the inferno which engulfed an electric car transporter broke out on the motorway, motorists still face delays.
National Highways has warned drivers of roughly four miles of tailbacks and delays of at least 45 minutes ahead of the evening rush hour.
The southbound carriageway of the M5 remains closed between Cullompton and Exeter.
Vehicle recovery and clean-up work is ongoing from the fire.
National Highways said: “The #M5 southbound remains closed between J28 #Cullompton and J29 # Honiton @Exeter_Airport following an earlier vehicle fire.
“Recovery and clean up work ongoing.
“There are approximately four miles of congestion on approach causing at least 45 min delays above normal journey times.”
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Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has said: “We were called at 6.38am to reports of a vehicle fire on the M5 between junctions 28 and 29. On arrival, a car transporter carrying nine electric vehicles was fully involved in fire.
“We currently have six appliances and two water bowsers in attendance, and crews have made good progress to tackle the fire and prevent it from escalating. Only a small fire involving cars on the top deck remains.
“As of 1.23pm, the fire is out but the vehicles on the bottom tier of the transporter are having their temperatures monitored to ensure they are safe to be moved and recovered.
“The northbound carriageway is open, and the southbound carriageway is still closed.”
Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Emergency services are continuing their work on the south-bound carriageway between Junctions 29 and 28 following a lorry fire, near Cullompton, this morning.
“Our officers have been working with Highways colleagues to clear the backlog of traffic on the motorway.”