Photos show damage caused by M5 lorry fire
The M5 in Exeter was closed northbound between junctions 29 and 30 until just after 9pm last night (October 16)
Photos from the fire service show the extend of the damage caused by a fire lorry fire on the M5 in Devon yesterday (October 15).
Firefighters were called to the fire on the M5 in Exeter at around midday yesterday.
The incident caused severe delays for drivers and the M5 was closed northbound between junctions 30 and 29 until around 9:10pm last night.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue service said the lorry was carrying small domestic appliances.
The fire was declared a major incident by police due to the traffic disruption but was later downgraded.
Local residents and businesses were advised by the emergency services to keep their windows and doors closed.
Newton Abbot Fire Station said in a statement: "Upon their (Firefighters) arrival, they discovered one articulated lorry well alight with smoke and flames issuing from the trailer.
"Firefighters wearing BA ( Breathing Apparatus ) initially got to work using multiple 51mm attack jets in an attempt to stop the fire spreading further and reaching the tractor unit.
"As the incident progressed, an ALP (Aerial Ladder Platform) was mobilised so that it could be used as a water tower, and cascade water down from above.
"A Bowser was also requested so that we could have a steady supply of water throughout the incident.
"At around 1500, one crew from Newton Abbot and another crew from Bovey Tracey Fire Station were then mobilised to this incident to relieve the crews that had been on scene from the start. Once we arrived, tactics had changed and the fire service's telehander was removing the scrap domestic appliances load from the remainder of the trailer.
"Whilst this was underway, the crew from Newton used another 51mm to extinguish the flames and cool the hot spots that remained."
In statement on X last night announcing that the road has reopened National Highways thanked people for their "patience" while this incident was ongoing.