M40 explosion: Crane crash causes ‘five massive blasts’

Blasts rocked houses at Gerard's Cross in Buckinghamshire

A lorry crash on the M40 motorway rocked nearby homes in Buckinghamshire where residents reported hearing ‘five massive blasts’ on Wednesday night.

The accident, involving a mobile crane lorry, happened on the southbound lane of the motorway between junctions 2 and 1a near the M25, which was closed as firefighters battled the blaze.

The five blasts were thought to be the vehicle’s tyres and fuel tank exploding after being engulfed by flames.

The road, which is a main commuter route from the Midlands and Oxfordshire, remained closed on Thursday morning as the scorched road is resurfaced.

Drivers were caught in two-hour traffic jams due to the fire.

TV presenter Gethin Jones, who was among those stuck in the tailbacks, tweeted: “Witnessed terrible explosions on the M40. Stuck in the tailback for an hour and not gonna be moving soon. Thoughts with those involved.”

Thames Valley police said the road surface had been badly damaged and required resurfacing, which would affect rush hour traffic on Thursday.

All southbound traffic on the M40 is being diverted at junction 2 onto the A355, and then onto the A40, Highways England said.