Lorry carrying bales of hay bursts into flames bringing motorway to halt

Usa today news

7 hours ago

The M4 has been closed westbound near Swindon after a lorry carrying hay caught fire, prompting a major emergency response
(Picture: UKNIP)

The M4 has been closed westbound near Swindon after a lorry carrying hay caught fire, prompting a major emergency response and causing long delays for motorists. Emergency services were called to the incident between Junction 15 (Badbury) and Junction 16 (Swindon) at around 11am on Monday (3 August). Multiple fire engines and other emergency vehicles rushed to the scene as crews tackled what has been described as a significant lorry fire involving a trailer loaded with hay. Westbound Carriageway Closed The westbound carriageway remains closed, while the eastbound side is open but experiencing slow-moving traffic due to the incident. Wiltshire Police urged drivers to avoid the area, saying: "Please be aware that the M4 westbound between junctions 15 and 16 is closed due to a significant lorry fire. "Please find alternate routes." Firefighters Tackling Blaze Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the fire involves a trailer carrying hay. The service said: "The #M4 is currently closed westbound between J15 and J16 while we deal with a fire involving a trailer of hay." Fire crews remain at the scene working to extinguish the blaze and make the area safe. ?? Long Delays Expected National Highways warned motorists to expect significant delays while emergency services deal with the incident. A spokesperson said: "The M4 has closed westbound between J15 Badbury and J16 Swindon due to a HGV fire. "Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service are leading the response at the scene. "Delays of 60 minutes and approximately four miles of congestion on approach. Please allow extra time if you're travelling in the area." Drivers are advised to avoid the route where possible and follow diversion signs until the motorway is reopened. — The M4 has been closed westbound near Swindon after a lorry carrying hay caught fire, prompting a major emergency response
(Picture: UKNIP)

Traffic on the M4 has ground to a halt after a lorry burst into flames.

Firefighters rushed to put out the blaze on the farmer’s HGV carrying bales of hay on the busy motorway near Swindon.

The driver managed to pull over to the hard shoulder when they noticed the contents had ignited.

Traffic on all lanes between junction 15 and 16 was stopped as they fought to contain the blaze from spreading to the embankment.

There are no reports of any injuries but drivers have been warned of severe delays as firefighters douse the burning trailer.

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The charred remains of the HGV (Picture: UKNIP)

A spokesperson added: ‘The M4 is currently closed westbound between J15 and J16 while we deal with a fire involving a trailer of hay.’

Traffic is building on the M4 (Picture: UKNIP)

Plumes of smoke were seen off the M5 near Quinton, Birmingham when the embankment caught fire.

Traffic is being stopped there after flames took hold on the edge of the M5 between junctions 3 and 4.

It came after a wildfire in London stopped rail services to Stansted Airport yesterday afternoon.

At least 50 people reported the grass fire breaking out on the side of the tracks at around 2pm on Sunday.

At the height of the blaze, around 14 hectares of field – about the size of 20 football pitches – were burning next to the River Lea.

Wildfires wreak havoc with passengers evacuated from trains to major London airport (Picture: John Dunne)

Metro saw the aftermath of the blaze, which is still smouldering almost 24 hours after it started, and spoke to residents in the area.

Melanie Tozer, whose home is almost a mile away from the site of the fire, told us: ‘There was ash falling on our road and we found out on our local WhatsApp group that there had been a big fire stopping the trains.

‘We thought there might be evacuations. We have seen the fires on TV in Greece or Spain but you never expect it to come this close to home.’

A mother of three said: ‘I had a bag packed. I wasn’t taking any chances. There is a lot of green space around here, which is why we moved here, but this is very scary.’