**Car Fire on M4 Brings Westbound Traffic in Swansea to a Halt**
A major incident unfolded on the M4 motorway near Swansea earlier today, after a car caught fire, forcing all westbound lanes to close and causing severe traffic disruption across the area. The blaze reportedly broke out between Junction 46 at Llangyfelach and Junction 47 at Penllergaer, adjacent to the Swansea West Services.
The incident was first reported just before 2pm, when vehicles began to queue as emergency services rushed to the scene. Both lanes were closed almost immediately after authorities received word of the fire, prompting significant delays and a complete standstill for motorists heading westbound.
Traffic monitoring service Inrix issued an alert stating, “All traffic is being temporarily held and stationary traffic due to car fire on M4 Westbound from J46 A48 (Llangyfelach) to J47 A483 (Penllergaer / Swansea West Services). Congestion is also affecting the eastbound side due to onlookers.”
Traffic Wales, responsible for overseeing the nation’s major roads, confirmed the closure via social media, reiterating that both westbound lanes were blocked as emergency crews tackled the blaze. Their spokesperson added: “Vehicle fire – M4 westbound J46 Llangyfelach – J47 Penllergaer; both lanes are blocked at this time – updates to follow.”
The cause of the fire remains unclear at this stage, and no casualties have yet been reported. Efforts are currently underway to establish whether the fire was triggered by a mechanical fault or another factor. It is not known how many individuals were present in the vehicle at the time, and emergency services have yet to release further details regarding any injuries.
Traffic has built up significantly in both directions, with tailbacks stretching for several miles. The situation is being compounded by so-called ‘rubbernecking’, as drivers on the opposite side of the motorway slow down to observe the incident, leading to additional congestion affecting the eastbound carriageway.
Motorists have been advised to avoid the area if possible and consider alternative routes. For those caught in the delay, authorities are asking for patience as firefighters work to bring the blaze under control and clear the carriageway. It is currently unknown when the motorway will fully reopen.
This is not the first time the M4 in Swansea has been disrupted by such an incident. Local commuters are all too familiar with delays on this busy stretch, which forms a critical artery for traffic moving between South Wales and the rest of the UK. Regular users of the route have been vocal on social media about the need for improved emergency response and better traffic management, particularly in light of repeated incidents that lead to substantial delays.
The disruption has also highlighted the challenges faced by emergency services when responding to incidents on busy motorways, where access to the scene can be hindered by stationary traffic and limited hard shoulder space.
As the situation unfolds, further updates are expected from Traffic Wales and South Wales Police regarding the timeline for reopening the motorway. In the meantime, passengers travelling in the area are encouraged to keep an eye on live traffic updates and heed official advice to minimise disruption to their plans.
Journalists will continue to monitor the incident and provide updates as more information becomes available. Anyone affected by the delays is advised to remain tuned to local news outlets and travel advisories for the latest developments.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the hazards faced on the nation’s motorways, and the importance of swift action and coordinated response to keep both emergency personnel and the travelling public safe.