Car transporter blaze at Chilworth forces motorway closure

Firefighters were called just before 7am this morning to a large vehicle fire on the hard shoulder of the M3 near Chilworth.

The large car transporter, carrying eight cars, was well alight with excessive smoke emanating, when crews from Redbridge, Totton, Eastleigh, Romsey and St Mary’s arrived on the scene having been called at 6:57.

Police colleagues were in attendance to close lanes, with the M27 and other roads being affected.

The driver was safely out of the vehicle and there are no casualties involved.

The fire is now out, having been extinguished using two hose reels, eight sets of breathing apparatus and compressed air foam system. Environmental protection equipment was also used to filter contaminated water run-off.

The stop message came in at midday.