Press Release from Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service

Motorway closed after serious lorry fire

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service was called out to a lorry on fire on the M5 this morning.

At just after 5am, a crew from Stroud and another from Wotton-under-Edge, attended the scene between junctions 13 and 14 on the M5 on the southbound carriageway.

Around 15 tonnes of barley straw in a lorry trailer was severely alight when they arrived and backup was requested. Another two crews from the Avon Fire and Rescue Service and the specialist water carrier from Cheltenham were sent to deal with the fire.

The motorway was originally closed in both directions because of smoke and steam drifting across the carriageways, but the northbound carriageway was re-opened soon after.

Firefighters were able to put out the fire, but the southbound carriageway could not be opened to drivers as burnt debris and the lorry trailer were still blocking the hard shoulder and first lane.

By 9am the third lane on the carriageway was re-opened, but it is expected to take until midday to re-open the motorway completely.

The lorry driver was not hurt during the incident. Kevin Pottinger, Group Manager for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The lorry was carrying barley straw from Stow and when the driver checked the cargo before joining the motorway at junction 11A everything was fine.

“He checked in his mirror again just after reaching junction 13 and he could see the straw was on fire. “He called the fire service immedicately and then unhooked the trailer carrying the burning straw from the lorry. “His quick thinking action prevented a second 15 tonnes of straw catching fire, which would have made the situation much worse.

“We had to close the motorway in both directions orignially because the smoke and steam drifting across was making visibility very poor and we were concerned for motorists safety.

“The northbound carriageway was ok to re-open quickly but we cannot fully open the southbound carriageway for a while yet.

“One lane is now open, but we are waiting for the Highways Agency to get here so they can remove the lorry from the hard shoulder and the burnt straw from the lanes.

“The road surface itself is only damaged slightly on the hard shoulder so once the lorry and debris is removed the motorway will be able to open fully again.”

Mr Pottinger added: “I would like to thank motorists for their patience this morning, I know how difficult it was when we closed the M5 during the morning rush hour and their cooperation was very much appreciated.”

ENDS

14th February 2008

Contact:
Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service 01452 753333
Issued by Lisa Bonnell, Gloucestershire County Council Media Team, 01452 425226

DO YOU HAVE A WORKING SMOKE ALARM?
to arrange a FREE home fire safety check and get a FREE smoke alarm call
0800 1804140