Traffic on the M4 has ground to a halt after a lorry carrying bales of hay burst into flames on the busy motorway near Swindon. The driver managed to pull over to the hard shoulder when they noticed the contents had ignited. Firefighters rushed to put out the blaze on the farmer's HGV, and traffic on all lanes between junction 15 and 16 was stopped as they fought to contain the fire from spreading to the embankment.
No Injuries, But Severe Delays Expected
There are no reports of any injuries, but drivers have been warned of severe delays as firefighters douse the burning trailer. A spokesperson said: 'The M4 is currently closed westbound between J15 and J16 while we deal with a fire involving a trailer of hay.' The closure is expected to last for several hours as crews work to ensure the fire is fully extinguished and the carriageway is safe for traffic to resume.
Meanwhile, plumes of smoke were also seen off the M5 near Quinton, Birmingham, where an embankment caught fire. Traffic was stopped on the M5 between junctions 3 and 4 after flames took hold on the edge of the motorway. Fire crews were dispatched to the scene, and drivers were advised to seek alternative routes.
Wildfire Disrupts Rail Services to Stansted
The incidents come 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. Metro saw the aftermath of the blaze, which was still smouldering almost 24 hours after it started, and spoke to residents in the area.
Residents Describe Scary Scenes
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.' The fire led to the evacuation of passengers from trains, and services were suspended for several hours. The cause of the wildfire is under investigation, but dry conditions and high temperatures are believed to have contributed.
Impact on Travel and Safety
The M4 closure has caused significant disruption for commuters and freight traffic, with long queues forming on approach roads. Highways England advised drivers to allow extra journey time or consider alternative routes. The fire on the M5 also caused delays, though it was brought under control more quickly.
These incidents highlight the increased risk of fires during hot, dry weather. Fire services have urged the public to be vigilant and report any signs of fire immediately. The M4 is expected to reopen later this evening, but motorists are advised to check live traffic updates before setting out.
