An outbreak of flames from a car on the M5 near Gloucester sparked chaos this afternoon (Friday, April 18), causing disruptive traffic flow. The incident occurred on the southbound carriageway of the motorway, situated between Cheltenham and Gloucester, and was brought to attention shortly before 12.30pm.
Emergency response teams promptly arrived at the scene, where a shared image with Gloucestershire Live displayed the fiery spectacle on the motorway.
Although the southbound carriageway suffered from a reported five-mile traffic buildup, the repercussions extended to northbound drivers as well.
READ MORE: Controversial Plans for 122 Homes on University Playing Field in Cheltenham
READ MORE: Natural Coffee Alternatives for a Healthier Morning Pick-Me-Up
Motorists were advised to anticipate delays lasting up to 60 minutes amid the turmoil. National Highways cautioned that traffic was at a standstill on the southbound side initially; however, it was gradually permitted to resume, with two lanes on the M5 remaining closed until approximately 2.20pm.
Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service verified that they received a report concerning a red Ford Fiesta at 12.18pm and deployed three firefighting units to tackle the conflagration – with one from Cheltenham East, one from Cheltenham West, and one from Tewkesbury. Additionally, a water carrier was utilized during the operation.
Though the fire service was unable to definitively ascertain the cause of the fire, they confirmed that there were no reports of serious injuries.