People were seen getting out of their cars on the M4 after a lorry fire brought the motorway near Swindon to a standstill.
Traffic was stopped in both directions between junctions 15 and Membury Services shortly after 2pm today (Friday, July 16) and people were told not to leave their vehicles.
Despite this, people could be seen on traffic cameras out of their vehicles on the carriageway and vehicles could also be seen with boots open. All lanes have since reopened but long delays remain.
Read more: Lorry fire sees traffic stopped and massive queues near Swindon
Highways England said on twitter earlier: "Please approach the area with caution and if you are in the stopped traffic please do not leave your vehicles
"Due to the nature of the fire and the contents of the lorry we are looking to start installing full closures of the M4 in both directions between J14 and J15.
"If you are in the trapped traffic please bear with us, we will work to get you moving soon."
There have been no reported injuries in the incident.
The latest (5.27pm) from traffic monitoring site Inrix says: "Severe delays and queueing traffic due to earlier lorry fire on M4 in both directions between J14 A338 (Hungerford) and J15 A346 Marlborough Road (Swindon East).
Congestion to J13 (Chieveley / Newbury) Westbound and J16 (Swindon West) Eastbound, local areas including Marlborough and Hungerford are extremely busy as traffic is trying to re-route. All lanes have been re-opened.
"The road has now been fully re-opened, but heavy delays remain as trapped traffic is slowly leaving the scene."
Other images showed people sitting on the central reservation while they wait for traffic to move again.
While people were also seen standing around on the empty westbound carriageway.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service said earlier: "We are currently dealing with a lorry fire on the M4 eastbound between J15 Swindon & J14 Hungerford.
"Both carriageways of the motorway are currently closed."
Earlier, Wiltshire police had said: "Drivers are advised that the M4 has been closed on both carriageways due to a serious lorry fire on the eastbound carriageway between the Membury Services and Junction 15.
"Please seek alternative routes to avoid delays.
"We will update when the road reopens."
At 4.15pm, traffic was being released westbound and by 5.15pm all lanes were reopened.
The latest information from Highways England suggests normal traffic conditions will not return until after 9pm.
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