Travel chaos: Motorists face three hours delays and 11 miles of congestion on M25 after huge vehicle fire
Drivers should expect three hours of delays
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
Drivers have been warned to expect more than three hours of delays on the M25 after a severe vehicle fire has impacted travel.
The M25 clockwise in Kent between J5 (Seven Oaks/M26) and J6 (South Mimms) has been closed following a lorry fire in the early hours of the morning.
The fire took place at around 1.30am when a lorry carrying a load of metal sheeting caught fire on the M25 clockwise.
Five units and a specialised water carrier from Kent Fire and Rescue Service responded with the blaze extinguished at around 3am but delays have been ongoing.
The fire began at 1:30am
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
National Highways said: “Although the fire had been extinguished the lorry's cargo remained extremely hot and lane restrictions remained in place to allow traffic to continue to move past the scene safely with as minimum impact to the travelling public as possible.”
By 9am the contests of the lorry had been safely removed and the recovery operation could begin, the agency explained.
Recovery has continued at the scene with lane restrictions remaining in place with drivers now facing over three hours of delays and congestion lasting more than 11 miles.
Lane 1 (of four) remains closed for ongoing long-term roadworks with lanes 2 and 3 closed to provide a safe working environment for recovery agents.
Once recovery is complete a pavement engineer will assess the carriageway will attend for any potential damage to the carriageway from the fire.
The latest update for National Highway said in a social media post: “2 lanes (of 3) are now closed on the M25 clockwise between J5 Sevenoaks & J6 Godstone with recovery of the lorry underway.
“Please allow extra journey time if travelling through the area.”
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The fire was put out at 3am
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
Kent Fire and Rescue Service told GB News: "[We were] called to assist Surrey Fire and Rescue Service with a lorry fire between junction 5 and 6 of the M25 (clockwise).
"Two fire engines attended from KFRS and crews wearing breathing apparatus helped to extinguish the fire using hose reel jets.There were no reported injuries, and the cause is not yet known."