A LORRY carrying domestic appliances caught fire on the M5 this week as crew from Newton Abbot and Bovey Tracey were called in to assist.

The articulated lorry caught fire on Wednesday, October 15, just after Junction 30 at around noon.

Initially, firefighters from Danes Castle and Middlemoor were mobilised, but, as the incident progressed, crew from Teignbridge were brought in.

The relief crew of Newton Abbot and Bovey Tracey took over from around 3pm.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service’s tele-hander began removing the scrap domestic appliances from the burnt out lorry, while crew used 51mm attack jets to extinguish the flames and cool the remaining hot spots.

A spokesperson for Newton Abbot Fire Station said: ‘We understand that today's incident [Wednesday, October 15] put the local road networks under extreme pressure with the M5 being closed for our safety.

‘However, we would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we dealt with this fire.