A lorry transporting a large number of straw bales went on fire on the side of a motorway yesterday (Thursday, July 19), causing widespread consternation locally.

West Mercia Police Operations and Communications Centre confirmed that the lorry fire broke out between Junction 7 and Junction 8 on the M5 southbound near Worcester, England.

According to Highways England, the incident forced the motorway route to be closed – causing traffic delays of more than an hour and a half.

The motorway service provided an update, noting that a digger was sent to the scene to disperse the straw in an effort to extinguish it quicker.

Later a number of low loaders, a crane and a road sweeper were also sent to the location to help with the dispersion.

Thankfully, according to Highways England, the lorry driver was uninjured – apart from “a bit of shock”.

A number of motorists on the road at the time provided updates with images and videos of the flame-engulfed lorry via Twitter.

As can be seen, the lorry and its load were both razed to the ground following the inferno.

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lorry bales fire

Image source: Kate Mundy Twitter page

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Highways England closed the M5 between Junction 7 and Junction 8 again last night to recover the burnt-out lorry and finish cleaning up the scene.

According to BBC Hereford and Worcester, parts of the M5 had to be resurfaced this morning as a result of the fire.

Image source: Ben Taylor

FIRE LORRY UK