M5 fire: Massive wall of smoke swallows motorway as blaze rages

A giant cloud of smoke swallowed a section of the motorway in Devon. Drivers heading on the M5 near the town of Tivertonsuffered a worrying lack of visibility as a nearby fire rages on. The fire reportedly broke out in a barley field near the A361, between junction 27 of the M5 and Tiverton, leading to the closure of both directions of the road. A witness previously said that it seemed like a tractor was on fire, SomersetLive reported.

Thick smoke from the barley field fire spread, causing reduced visibility, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement. Police directed traffic to ensure driver safety. Devon and Cornwall Police have confirmed that traffic has now returned to normal in both directions between M5 junction 27 (Tiverton) and the Post Hill turn-off.

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