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Diesel tanker fire shuts motorway | Diesel tanker fire shuts motorway |
(40 minutes later) | |
A fire involving a tanker carrying 29,000 litres of diesel has caused severe delays on the M4 in Berkshire. | A fire involving a tanker carrying 29,000 litres of diesel has caused severe delays on the M4 in Berkshire. |
The motorway was 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 to the westbound carriageway at 0532 BST after the tanker's axel caught alight. | |
Crews extinguished the fire and cooled the area with 9,000 litres of water. The motorway was reopened at 0800 BST. | |
It is unknown how the fire started, but the lorry's cab was detached and crews spent more than an hour cooling the axel area on the tanker after the fire was put out. | |
'Potentially dangerous' | 'Potentially dangerous' |
Dozens of vehicles stuck between the closed junctions were being allowed past the accident slowly. The eastbound carriageway was reopened but had six miles of tailbacks. | |
One motorist said: "I'm trying to get to a hospital appointment. | |
"I completely stuck, it is absolutely solid. There is no way I'm going to make my appointment on time." | |
A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: "Severe delays have been caused to motorists and we are advising people to avoid the area. | 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." | "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. | 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. | 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." | "Any fire can damage the surface and we may have to do resurfacing works before the carriageway can be open." |