SCORES of people were evacuated from an industrial estate during a fire this evening (Wednesday).

Firefighters from nine stations have been at the incident in Highbridge after "multiple calls" from the public shortly before 6pm.

At one stage police stopped traffic on the M5 between Junctions 22 and 23 due to smoke drifting across the motorway.

The fire started in an industrial premises on Walrow Industrial Estate, in Commerce Way.

An eye witness told the Burnham and Highbridge News: "There was lots of thick black smoke and some flames.

"The police got everybody to walk to a nearby roundabout at the end of the road.

"Lots of people are stuck because they can't get to their cars to drive home."

A Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said two fire engines from Burnham-on-Sea attended, with two from Bridgwater, one each from Cheddar and Taunton, an aerial ladder and water carrier from Bridgwater, an incident command unit from Street, a welfare unit from Crediton, an incident support unit from Martock, a water carrier from Yeovil and two fire engines from Avon Fire Service.

The spokesperson added: "On arrival flames were issuing from the roof.

"Crews are at work tackling the single storey fire using five attack jets, four breathing apparatus and intend to use a portable pump from open water."