Rules for drivers caught up in tunnel fires and how to get out safely

Road managers in Wales have safety protocols in place for dealing with emergencies in tunnels such as the one seen in North Wales today (Thursday, June 19). These are designed not just to safeguard motorists but also to help the emergency services.
Motorists caught out by today's blaze described the feeling of wanting to 'get out' as quickly as possible. The incident, which began at around 2pm, saw fire crews enter the tunnel as a 'major incident' was declared.
Multi-agency training exercises are periodically carried out in Wales' tunnels to ensure rescue teams can evacuate people safely during incidents. One such exercise was carried out during a 15-day part closure of Conwy Tunnel in late 2021.
This saw the tunnels' ventilation fans and monitoring systems replaced, having been last upgraded in 2015. The fans are designed to blow away heat and smoke from a fire, protecting queuing traffic behind and giving people time to evacuate the tunnel.
Advice for drivers caught up in incidents has also been issued by Traffic Wales. The most obvious one is to stop and avoid entering a tunnel if you see smoke or fire coming from it.
In this sutuation, drivers should pull over to the left and turn on their hazard lights. Join the North Wales Live
But what if you're already in a tunnel when fire breaks out? In this case, the following instructions apply.
Fire behind
If you spot smoke or fire behind you, keep driving out of the tunnel and don't turn back. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
Fire ahead
If there's smoke or fire ahead once you're in the tunnel, you'll need to evacuate.
Pull over to the left, turn off the engine, and leave your vehicle. Leave the key in the vehicle so that recovery teams can move it if necessary.
Follow the signs in the tunnel to walk out "as quickly as possible" towards the entrance you used. Wait at the marked evacuation spot outside for help.
If needed, call for help using the SOS phones at the evacuation spot outside the tunnel. Emergency phones are located every 100 metres in the tunnel.
Once outside, listen out for tannoy announcements from the tunnel operator.
Vehicle on fire
If it's your vehicle that's on fire, continue driving out of the tunnel if you can.
If you can't, stop on the left, turn off the engine, and get out. Follow the evacuation signs to exit the tunnel and wait outside.
If needed, fire extinguishers are kept beside emergency panels in the tunnels.
Use the SOS phones outside and follow instructions from the tunnel operator.

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