M40 at Banbury closed as firefighters tackle huge car fire

The incident occurred at about 11.17pm on Sunday, April 12, when Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to reports of a major blaze on the M40 between junction 10 with Ardley and 11 with Banbury.

Crews from Bicester, Kidlington and Banbury Fire Stations attended and tackled the petrol car fire, as fuel spread across the carriageway.

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Commenting on Monday morning, a spokesperson for Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “On arrival crews were faced with a conventionally fuelled car fully involved and a running fuel fire spreading on the carriageway.

Firefighters tackling the blaze on the M40 (Image: Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue)

“Fortunately the owner was able to evacuate safely when the fire started and no injuries were sustained.

“Crews wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire using hose-reels, preventing further spread to the carriageway.”

The motorway was fully closed for around 30 minutes before one lane was reopened by Highways England Traffic officers and Thames Valley Police.

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National Highways shared an alert for drivers at about midnight on Sunday, warning the M40 northbound between junctions 10 and 11 was blocked due to a vehicle fire.

Delays were initially up to 20 minutes on approach until lane three reopened at approximately 12.25am on Monday.

It was announced that all lanes had reopened at the scene had cleared by about 2.30am.