Motorway Services Online

Cherwell Valley after it was burnt down.

8 more photos in the gallery

Below is a list of motorway service areas which have been wholly or partially damaged by a fire. A major service area being damaged by a fire tends to be a big news event, and as a result many people get the impression that this happens often.

Service areas are susceptible to fire damage: they have a lot of equipment crammed into old buildings that have been moved around many times, they are in use for long hours and they are often in isolated locations that take a long time to reach. It is noticeable that new or extended buildings tend to be more fire resistant.

As news reporting has improved and more service areas have opened, there is an illusion that the frequency of fires has increased. We can only list known fires.

A number of A-road petrol stations, independent diners and chain restaurants such as Little Chef have also suffered fire damage. These aren't listing here, and neither are vehicle fires.

Services	Date	Cause	Disruption
Fleet southbound	14/12/2016	Accidental - faulty coffee machine - KFC	Full reconstruction required, despite initial temporary re-opening. Temporary building used, full HGV and coach ban enforced; brief motorway closure required.
Frankley northbound	28/11/2015	Not publicised - restaurant	Both directions evacuated. Further details not known.
Cobham	17/04/2015	Accidental - KFC	Complete closure of the main amenities building for three days, some units closed for four months.
Birch eastbound	04/11/2011	Accidental - Fonebitz	Temporary entrance used, hotel evacuated.
Bolton West southbound	23/07/2010	Accidental - BP	No fuel for several days.
Cherwell Valley	15/04/2010	Accidental - store room	Full reconstruction required, two temporary buildings used until 2011.
Cherwell Valley	28/11/2008	Accidental - Travelodge	Hotel closed for several days.
Sedgemoor northbound	07/03/2008	Accidental - Burger King	None.
Sarn Park	06/03/2007	Accidental - cigarette - temporary building	Temporary building needed replacing.
Chester	August 2004	Accidental - kitchen	Building closed for the day.
Birch westbound	09/10/2003	Arson - games room	Full reconstruction required, temporary buildings used until late 2004.
Oxford	15/08/1998	Arson - toilets	None.
South Mimms	13/08/1998	Accidental - Julie's Pantry	Full reconstruction required, temporary buildings used.
Taunton Deane northbound	12/01/1994	Suspected arson - shop/restaurant	Temporary facilities used whilst repairs were made.
Membury westbound	25/09/1990	Accidental - electrical fault	Repairs were needed but postponed due to plans to widen the M4.
Newport Pagnell southbound	Autumn 1987	Unknown	It interrupted the CEEFAX Trial, suggesting the building was closed for several months.
Keele northbound	27/08/1984	Kitchen - on bridge	Whole bridge-building had to be rebuilt.
Heston westbound	28/05/1981	Accidental - electrical fault on roof	Full reconstruction required.
Leigh Delamere	??