**Car Erupts in Flames on M4 Slip Road, Prompting Early Morning Delays for Commuters**
Motorists faced significant disruption during Friday’s morning rush hour after a car burst into flames on a busy section of the M4 motorway near Cardiff. The incident, which occurred around 6:20am on 30 May, saw emergency services rushing to the scene as commuters were making their way into work.
According to South Wales Police, the fire broke out on the slip road at Junction 32 (eastbound), close to Coryton – an area that regularly sees heavy traffic at peak times. Authorities responded to the alert swiftly, closing off one lane of the slip road to allow firefighters to tackle the blaze and ensure public safety.
Eyewitnesses described dramatic scenes as thick smoke billowed from the stricken vehicle, which came to a halt just before merging with the main carriageway. The incident led to inevitable congestion, with drivers experiencing delays as emergency crews worked to bring the situation under control and arrange for the damaged car’s removal.
Fortunately, police confirmed that no one was hurt as a result of the fire. Paramedics were not required to treat any injuries at the site, though the cause of the fire has yet to be established. Investigations into how the incident occurred are expected to continue, as authorities routinely assess whether mechanical fault or other factors might have been involved.
Friday morning saw further travel woes for road users in South Wales, as an unrelated collision further east on the M4 exacerbated the region’s traffic problems. That incident, reported between Junctions 27 and 28 near Newport, led to the closure of two westbound lanes and significant queues stretching back several miles, compounding the rush hour misery for many.
Both incidents underscore the challenges faced by emergency services and traffic management teams, particularly when multiple situations arise simultaneously on one of Wales’s busiest motorways. Beyond the immediate inconvenience to drivers, such incidents highlight ongoing efforts to improve both rapid response times and overall road safety.
Police continue to urge motorists to remain vigilant, especially during busy periods or adverse weather conditions, and to give priority to emergency vehicles attending scenes of accidents or fires. In response to the morning’s disruption, warnings were circulated on social media and via local radio, advising drivers to seek alternative routes or expect prolonged delays.
While the affected lane at Junction 32 was reopened once recovery operations concluded, knock-on effects were felt throughout the local road network well into the late morning. Authorities have since thanked the public for their patience and cooperation during the incident.
The episode serves as a sharp reminder of how quickly normal travel routines can be upended by unforeseen emergencies, and the importance of staying informed about real-time road conditions. For ongoing updates on traffic news in the Cardiff and wider M4 area, residents are encouraged to make use of official channels and sign up for local alert services to help navigate future disruptions.