Major incident declared after car transporter fire

Fire services were called to the scene on the M5 between Cullompton and Exeter

A major incident was declared by emergency services after a stretch of the M5 was closed earlier in both directions due to a fire on a lorry carrying electric vehicles.

The motorway was shut in Devon between junction 28 at Cullompton and junction 29 for Exeter at about 06:30 BST and two the southbound lanes reopened at about 18:00.

It said a car transporter carrying nine electric vehicles caught fire on the southbound carriageway.

The northbound side of the road reopened at about 10:20, with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (DSFRS) declaring a major incident.

Diversions are in place and drivers are advised to avoid the area

Devon & Cornwall Police had advised drivers to avoid the area due to "significant traffic issues".

DSFRS said there would be "complex vehicle recovery operation" and significant resurfacing works would be done.

A spokesperson said the vehicles on the top of the transporter had been recovered but teams were waiting for the bottom half to cool before removal.

Dan Cooke told BBC Radio Devon at about 08:00 he had been in the traffic and had seen the vehicle go up in flames.

He said: "[There were] plumes of smoke, big black smoke, so we all slowed down and it was a big fireball that went up straight away, exploding across the M5. It was almost like a firework show."

He added: "Currently there are lots of emergency services here. Several fire engines.

"It's still smouldering but looks completely destroyed to be honest."

A part of the road remains closed

A spokesperson for Devon County Council had said there were higher than normal traffic volumes on diversion routes.

They said there were severe delays at Bickleigh Bridge on the A396 and said people should expect delays.