FIREFIGHTERS from Wellington tackled their second car fire in two days when they were called on Monday morning (August 3) to deal with an incident on the M5 motorway.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue (DSFR) received several calls just after 9.15 am about an incident on the southbound carriageway of the motorway between Wellington’s junction 26 and junction 27 for Tiverton.

Both Wellington appliances were mobilised and the crews found a vehicle well alight on the hard shoulder with the flames spreading to a hedgerow on the bank beside the carriageway.

Everbody in the car had managed to get out safely.

The incident resulted in the southbound lanes being closed during the emergency with queues of traffic quickly building up

A third crew was sent from Tiverton with the incident commander liaising with police to allow the pump to enter the off-slip road and drive along the motorway the wrong way to reach the scene more quickly.

The firefighters tackled the incident using breathing apparatus, hose reel jets, and beaters.

They managed to prevent the blaze spreading to a field of standing crops and a cattle field and nearby electric installations.

The car was severely damaged and nearly 200 feet of hedgerow destroyed.

Car owner Amy Turner paid tribute on social media to the firefighters.

Ms Turner said: “This was my car, I want to thank you all so much for all your help, we really appreciate it and cannot thank you enough.”

A DSFR spokesperson said the cause was accidental.

The spokesperson said: “Thank you for all those held up in the traffic for your patience.”

On Sunday evening, the Wellington crews dealt with a car alight in a lay-by off the A38 near the Beambridge Inn.