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All traffic was being held on the M5 after a cider lorry burst into flames near Bristol this afternoon.
A section of the motorway was shut in both directions at J20 B3133 Ettlingen Way (Clevedon) due to the blaze.
Pictures from the scene show a fireball engulfing the Westons cider lorry carrying 50 empty kegs and three pallets of bottled cider. No injuries have been reported.
The Westons cider lorry carrying 50 empty kegs and three pallets of bottled cider, police said
Traffic was held on the northbound side from 1.25pm and southbound traffic from 1.35pm
Traffic was held on the northbound side since 1.25pm and southbound traffic was held at 1.35pm.
By 2.30pm, trapped traffic was being released in one of the lanes.
Emergency crews are at the scene and motorists are being asked to avoid the area.
At 2.10pm, a spokesperson for Avon & Somerset Police said: ‘A road closure is currently in place on the M5 northbound from between junction 20 (Clevedon) to junction 19 (Portishead) due to a vehicle fire. There are no reported injuries.
‘Long delays are expected and motorists are advised to avoid the route.’
Footage shared on social media of the fire show the lorry’s cab engulfed in flames
Flames ripped through the Westons cider lorry, and burnt pallets carrying bottles of alcohol
Travel site Inrix said: ‘All traffic being temporarily held and stationary traffic due to vehicle fire on M5 in both directions at J20 B3133 Ettlingen Way (Clevedon).
‘Traffic has been held on the northbound side since 13:25. Southbound traffic was held at 13:35.
‘Trapped traffic is being released in lane four.’
By 3.30pm, Avon & Somerset Police had confirmed that the fire had been extinguished.
The force said in a Tweet: ‘A lorry carrying 50 empty kegs and three pallets of bottled cider was found well alight.
‘Firefighters used one high pressure hose reel, two 45mm jets and gas monitors to extinguish the blaze.’
At 4.30pm, National Highways confirmed that lane three and four of the northbound motorway were open past the scene, but lanes one and two remain closed.
In a Tweet, it added: ‘There is currently approx. 8.8 miles of congestion on approach adding at least 60 minutes to normal journey times.’
By 3.30pm, Avon & Somerset Police had confirmed that the fire had been extinguished
Traffic was left queuing down the M5 after the cider lorry caught fire while carrying 50 empty kegs and three pallets of bottled cider
The lorry was on the northbound carriageway when it caught fire this afternoon
Congestion backed up on the slip roads as drivers moved to get off the M5
Traffic was being held on the northbound side from 1.25om,and southbound traffic from 1.35pm
Emergency crews rushed to the scene and motorists are being asked to avoid the area
Source: Daily Mail
