Emergency services are responding to a vehicle fire on the M4 westbound.
Police and fire engines are currently at the scene between junctions 16 (Swindon) and 17 (Chippenham), having been called shortly after 3pm today (3 September).
There are severe delays on the motorway in both directions, with the westbound carriageway closed or partially closed to traffic whilst 999 crews work at the incident.
A witness has described seeing a ‘car fire in a hedge’ alongside the stretch of road, but it’s unknown if anyone’s been injured at this early stage.
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UPDATE 5PM
Wiltshire Police say the driver of the vehicle, a Ford Fiesta, suffered minor injuries in the crash.
A spokesperson said: “Shortly after 3pm today (03/09) we responded to a single-vehicle road traffic collision on the M4 between junction 16 and 17 along with the fire and ambulance service.
“As a result of the collision, the vehicle, a Ford Fiesta, caught fire. Only minor injuries to the driver have been reported.
“One lane was closed while the vehicle awaited recovery.”
UPDATE 4.30PM
Traffic is now flowing past the scene.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service say there have been no reported injuries.
In a statement, they wrote: “We have two crews in attendance at a single vehicle RTC on the M4A West J16 near Chippenham.
“Two breathing apparatus wearers used one hose reel jet and one 70mm jet to extinguish the fire which also spread to the verge.
“No casualties have been reported at this stage.”
UPDATE 3.45PM
National Highways say emergency services are dealing with a collision, resulting in the closure of two lanes westbound.
The agency is reporting tailbacks of around five miles past the scene.
“Please add an extra 45 minutes on to your current journey time”, a spokesperson for National Highways said.
UPDATE 3.35PM
Wiltshire 999s has approached Wiltshire Police and Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service for comment. An update should be available shortly – please check back regularly.
