A vehicle was completely destroyed by fire on the M2 in north Belfast on Sunday evening, forcing the temporary closure of the Fortwilliam off-slip and bringing a large emergency response to the scene.
What happened
The incident occurred at about 8.30pm on 2 August when a black Ford Fiesta left the main carriageway and came to rest on the Fortwilliam slip road. Witnesses described flames coming from the rear of the car as it pulled off the motorway. Occupants of the vehicle exited before the fire took hold and emergency crews were called.
- Time: Approximately 8.30pm, 2 August
- Location: Fortwilliam off-slip, M2, north Belfast
- Vehicle: Black Ford Fiesta (burnt out)
"This black Ford Fiesta went past us and all we could see were flames shooting out the back of it. It finally pulled over and on to the slip road and the people got out. It's a miracle as it looked like no one was hurt but there must have been smoke everywhere inside the car too. It was burnt out in minutes after that."
Emergency response and road disruption
Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene. Fire crews extinguished the blaze and dealt with the smouldering remains of the vehicle. The Fortwilliam slip road was temporarily closed while crews worked; by the time they left the flames had been put out but the car was a write-off.
Local impact and safety message
The incident briefly disrupted traffic on a busy commuter route in the north of the city and prompted other motorists to stop and assist by directing traffic away from the burning vehicle until emergency services arrived. There were no reports of injuries following the fire.
| Agency | Action |
|---|---|
| NIFRS | Extinguished fire and made scene safe |
| Motorists | Directed traffic and raised the alarm |
Drivers using the M2 are advised to expect normal traffic management measures following incidents of this type and to exercise caution near slip roads and junctions. Further information about the cause of the fire has not been released.
