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Diesel tanker fire shuts motorway Diesel tanker fire shuts motorway
(20 minutes later)
A tanker carrying 29,000 litres of diesel has caught alight on a busy motorway in Berkshire, the fire service has said. A fire involving a tanker carrying 29,000 litres of diesel has caused severe delays on the M4 in Berkshire.
The M4 has been closed in both directions between junction 12 for Reading and junction 13 for Chieveley. Traffic is being diverted via the A4. The motorway has been closed in both directions between junction 12 for Reading and junction 13 for Chieveley. Traffic is being diverted via the A4.
Emergency services were called early on Thursday morning to the accident. Emergency services were called at about 0530 BST to the westbound carriageway. Fire crews extinguished the blaze just over an hour later.
Police have said the motorway is likely to be closed all morning causing severe delays to motorists. The motorway is likely to be closed all morning, police have said.
'Potentially dangerous'
Dozens of vehicles are stuck between the closed junctions with police trying to divert them onto alternative routes.
A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: "Severe delays have been caused to motorists and we are advising people to avoid the area.
"Firefighters have put the main flames out but there is still smoke and steam which can be potentially dangerous."
The fire service said the location of the tanker was on the M4 about two miles east of Chieveley.
A Highways Agency spokesman said: "We are looking at the surface of the road.
"Any fire can damage the surface and we may have to do resurfacing works before the carriageway can be open."