Early on the morning of October 1, 2025, a routine drive along the M5 in Devon turned into a scene of chaos and disruption after a car transporter carrying nine electric vehicles erupted in flames. The incident, which unfolded between junctions 28 at Cullompton and 29 for Exeter, quickly escalated into a major emergency, triggering a full closure of one of the region’s busiest stretches of motorway and setting off a chain reaction of traffic delays, diversions, and recovery operations that would last well into the following day.
According to multiple reports, including detailed coverage by BBC Devon and East Devon News, the fire broke out at around 6:30 am BST on the southbound carriageway. Eyewitnesses described the dramatic scene in vivid terms. Dan Cooke, who was caught in the ensuing traffic, recounted to BBC Radio Devon, “There were plumes of smoke, big black smoke, so we all slowed down and it was a big fireball that went up straight away, exploding across the M5. It was almost like a firework show.” He added, “It was a huge inferno of flames that was on the tail-end of the transporter. We were sat there on the motorway, I’ve never seen so many fire engines turn up and police, ambulance, emergency services. Thankfully no-one was hurt. Driving past the wreckage, there must’ve been significant heat.”
The response from emergency services was swift and substantial. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident, dispatching crews from stations across the region—including Torquay, Danes Castle, Cullompton, Honiton, Tiverton, Ivybridge, Middlemoor, Clyst St George, Taunton, Bridgwater, and Martock—to tackle the blaze. Firefighters used both water and foam jets to bring the fire under control, but the damage was extensive. A spokesperson from the fire service later confirmed, “One articulated lorry containing nine electric cars [was] all 100% damaged by fire. Crews used water and foam jets to extinguish the fire. Accidental cause.” By the afternoon, the fire was no longer being treated as a major incident, but the aftermath was far from over.
With both sides of the motorway initially shut, traffic was diverted off at Cullompton along the B3181, snaking through Budlake, Westcott, and Broadclyst village. The knock-on effect was immediate and severe, with Devon County Council reporting higher than normal traffic volumes and significant delays on diversion routes, particularly at Bickleigh Bridge on the A396. National Highways estimated around three miles of congestion on approach to junction 28, as drivers attempted to navigate the unfamiliar and crowded backroads. The frustration was palpable, but police and local authorities were quick to thank motorists for their patience. Tiverton Police posted on Facebook, “We’d like to thank everyone for their patience during yesterday’s M5 closure. We know the diversions caused a lot of frustration, and our officers spent several hours down at Bickleigh Bridge helping to keep traffic flowing as best as possible. Unfortunately, incidents like this cannot always be avoided, but the most important thing is that no one was hurt. We really appreciate your understanding and cooperation.”
By mid-morning, the northbound carriageway was reopened, allowing some relief for stranded travelers. National Highways and Devon & Cornwall Police remained on scene, managing the ongoing recovery and clear-up efforts. The southbound lanes, however, remained closed for much longer. As reported by BBC Devon, two southbound lanes finally reopened at about 6:00 pm, but lane one stayed shut for emergency resurfacing due to the intense heat damage inflicted by the fire. National Highways explained, “Recovery and clear-up crews are on scene and once clear lane one will remain closed for emergency resurfacing. The northbound is now open. Devon and Cornwall Police are on scene being assisted by National Highways traffic officers.”
Meanwhile, the process of recovering the burnt-out vehicles proved complex. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service monitored the temperatures of the vehicles on the bottom tier of the transporter to ensure they were safe to be moved and recovered. A spokesperson clarified, “The fire is out but the vehicles on the bottom tier of the transporter are having their temperatures monitored to ensure they are safe to be moved and recovered. The northbound carriageway is open, and the southbound carriageway is still closed.” By the evening, the vehicles on the top of the transporter had been recovered, but teams had to wait for the bottom half to cool before removal could proceed safely.
For much of October 1, drivers heading south continued to face long delays. Queues stretched back to junction 27 at Tiverton as recovery and resurfacing work dragged on. According to Inrix, a traffic monitoring service, “M5 Southbound [was] closed, long delays due to recovery work and earlier car transporter fire from J28 A373 Honiton Road (Cullompton / Service Area) to J29 A30 Honiton Road (Exeter / Honiton). Congestion to J27 (Tiverton) and along the diversion route. Once complex recovery is completed, resurfacing works and repairs to the safety barrier will start. Diversion - Via the B3181 through Cullompton, Westcott and Broadclyst.”
The cause of the fire was ultimately determined to be accidental, with emergency services confirming that no injuries were reported—a small mercy given the scale and ferocity of the blaze. Still, the event has raised questions about the risks associated with transporting electric vehicles, though officials have not indicated any specific fault with the vehicles themselves. For now, the focus is on the successful handling of the emergency and the rapid reopening of the motorway.
By the morning of October 2, National Highways announced that all southbound lanes had fully reopened after overnight emergency repairs. The agency also noted that a longer roadworks scheme, involving overnight closures for the next three months, had been scheduled to follow the incident. For the thousands of drivers affected, the return to normal traffic flow was a welcome relief after a tumultuous 24 hours.
As the dust settles, the incident stands as a testament to the coordinated efforts of emergency responders, traffic officers, and local authorities. The patience of motorists and the resilience of the community were tested, but—thankfully—no lives were lost, and the region’s critical transport artery was restored with remarkable speed.
