M5 traffic: Severe delays near Exeter as lanes closed after lorry of hay bales catches fire

A lorry carrying hay bales caught fire on the M5 motorway near Exeter on Friday 20 December. Credit: Devon and Cornwall Police

There were severe delays for drivers on the M5 motorway at Exeter after a lorry carrying hay bales caught fire on Friday 20 December.

Two lanes were closed on the southbound side of the motorway near Junction 31 for the A38 and the turn-off to Okehampton.

Congestion stretched back to Junction 29, the exit for Exeter and Honiton. The delay to drivers rose to around 90 minutes.

Crews from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service at the scene Credit: D&SFRS

Traffic coming from Clyst St George, Crealy Theme Park and the Airport was also affected.

The fire broke out on the southbound carriageway just before 10am on Friday 20 December and crews from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service attended.

The whole southbound carriageway was closed between Junctions 30 (Exeter) and 31 (Torquay, Bodmin/Okehampton) to allow police and the fire service to attend.