FIVE people narrowly avoided serious injuries after a fire on the M40.

A crash left a car and a van on fire and the five occupants were rushed to hospital on the southbound carriageway between junction 13 and 12 near Warwick Services.

The crash happened just after 7.30am this morning (Monday).

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, crews discovered a car and a van that had been in collision, both of which had caught fire as a result.

“Thankfully, the occupants of all vehicles had managed to get themselves out, otherwise it could have been a very different outcome.

“A man and a woman from the car, together with two children, were all assessed and discharged at the scene with minor injuries, as was the man who was driving the van.”

An ambulance and a senior paramedic officer attended the scene.