The Environment Agency has issued an update after the M5 articulated lorry fire today (Wednesday), which saw scrap metal strewn across the carriageway.
The incident has sparked chaos on roads across Devon and the motorway is currently closed northbound between junctions 30 and 29 after the fire broke out at around 11.50am this morning.
A major incident was declared but this has since been stood down.
As of 2.15pm, there were delays of at least two hours and nine miles of congestion on the aproach to junction 30.
In an update at 8.15pm, Devon and Cornwall Roads Policing Team said the carriageway was "nearly cleared" and it was hoped the road would reopen "shortly".
The Environment Agency South West has since released a statement, explaining that specialists were "actively monitoring" local waterways to check for impact from the fire.
A spokesperson said: "Following #M5 lorry fire: Our specialists are actively monitoring local waterways for any environmental impact from firefighting operations.
"Natural dilution from river flow and tide will help reduce the risk."
Locals have taken to social media this evening to share their long and difficult journeys.
One person said it took them two hours to get from Heathfield to Countess Weir.
Another said they had tried the back lanes of Haldon, but was unable to get home.
They said "all routes into Exeter are gridlocked", adding that lorries and buses were 'stuck'.
At around 8.20pm, one driver told DevonLive they saw around five-miles of queueing traffic on between the Honiton turn-off and Kennford.
At 9pm, Inrix reported: "M5 Northbound closed, long delays due to recovery work, debris on road and earlier lorry fire from J30 A376 Sidmouth Road (Exeter / Service Areas) to J29 A30 Honiton Road (Exeter / Honiton)."