A COACH fire on the M5 caused significant delays for multiple hours on Friday, August 29.

Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service were called to the scene at 11.31am after the coach had reportedly caught fire on the hard shoulder going northbound between Junction 28 and Junction 27.

This would cause roughly five miles of congestion, resulting in delays of about 60 minutes.

All 44 passengers on board the coach, along with its two drivers, were safely evacuated and moved onto a replacement coach.

One lane was temporarily closed, which would not be reopened until 2.15pm.

Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service estimate that the coach was 50 per cent damaged by smoke and the engine compartment was 25 per cent damaged by fire.