NewsLIVEUpdated 4 mins agoPolice have had to close the M5 and A38 near Exeter due to grass catching fire on the central reservation and embankment following the recent heatwave and dry weatherPart of the central reservation on fire(Image: Paul Greaves/DevonLive)Motorists face chaos with part of a major motorway and another road shut due to grass catching fire on the central reservation and embankment.Police have had to close the M5 and A38 near Exeter with witnesses saying they could see grass alight at around 2.20pm today.Traffic and travel website Inrix said: "A38 Devon Expressway in both directions closed, queueing traffic due to serious fire from M5 J31 (Okehampton turn off, Exminster) to A379 ( Kennford , Kennford)."A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Emergency services are currently in attendance at a fire in fields close to the A38 at Kennford after being called at around 2.20pm on Friday 3 July. Local road closures have been put in place in the area. More updates when we have them."‌View PostView PostView PostView PostToday15:58 BSTNational Highways says grass fires at two locationsNational Highways has said that there are grass fires at two locations on the A38.Responding to an enquiry about why traffic was stationary on the road, National Highways replied on X: There is a grass fire in 2 locations on the A38 which caused Police to stop traffic."The southbound side has now been released. We will issue an update shortly. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide any timeframes for this currently."Smoke can be seen rising from the grass fires(Image: Paul Greaves/DevonLive)Today15:50 BSTMap shows roads affected by grass fireA map shows the roads affected near Exeter following a fire which is causing major delays for motorists.Roads affected near Exeter(Image: Paul Greaves/DevonLive)Today15:45 BSTPolice statement on fire causing 'road closures'A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Emergency services are currently in attendance at a fire in fields close to the A38 at Kennford after being called at around 2.20pm on Friday 3 July."Local road closures have been put in place in the area. More updates when we have them."Today15:39 BSTThree fire engines said to be en-route to the sceneAnother eye witness has told Devon Live the A38 has been shut and police were on the scene.They added that they saw three fire engines heading towards the scene and another one parked on the carriage heading in the Newton Abott.They added: "It looks like the whole field behind the bank is on fire. There's also loads of little fires in the central reservation"Today15:39 BSTInrix says 'serious fire' from M5 to A379Traffic and travel website Inrix said: "A38 Devon Expressway in both directions closed, queueing traffic due to serious fire from M5 J31 (Okehampton turn off, Exminster) to A379 ( Kennford , Kennford)."Today15:39 BSTFire service says traffic stopped and fire spread to fieldA spokesperson for the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has says: "10 pumps at the scene now and southbound traffic has been stopped by the police. The fire has spread to an adjacent field."‌