Motorists face gridlock as a lorry packed with tyres erupts into flames, shutting down a major section of the M25 near Dartford Crossing.
A dramatic lorry fire has caused widespread disruption on the M25, forcing the closure of a key stretch of the motorway on Wednesday afternoon. The vehicle, which was transporting rubber car tyres, went up in flames between Junction 30 at Dartford and Junction 29 at Romford.
The blaze quickly spread across four lanes, sending dense, black smoke spiralling high into the sky — visible from miles away. Emergency crews rushed to the scene as motorists were left stranded in tailbacks stretching for miles.
“Due to the nature of the fire, it is still anticipated that the road will remain closed throughout the day, with resurfacing likely to be required,” said National Highways.
As firefighters from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service battled the inferno, a diversion route was set up for drivers heading in the anti-clockwise direction. Even so, delays of over an hour were reported as traffic struggled to reroute.
Vehicles trapped within the cordoned-off section are being assisted in turning around or moving away safely, as efforts continue to clear the area.
The fire broke out near the Thames crossing a vital connection between Kent and Essex, intensifying the impact on the region’s already busy traffic network.
“The tyres being carried by the lorry, which could be seen sprawled across the road, are ‘alight’ and ‘producing large amounts of smoke,’” confirmed Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.
The lorry fire brought one of the UK’s busiest motorways to a grinding halt, with thick plumes of smoke disrupting traffic and visibility for miles. Firefighters remain on-site, battling flames and smoke as frustrated drivers face hours of delay.
The affected stretch spanning from Dartford to Romford lies just before the Dartford Crossing, a notorious bottleneck even under normal conditions. The crossing itself, made up of two tunnels and a bridge, sees up to 180,000 vehicles daily on peak days.
The timing of the incident, during a busy midweek afternoon, only worsened the situation.
Photos from the scene show the HGV engulfed in flames, rubber tyres strewn across the motorway, and a thick cloud of smoke blanketing the sky. Authorities are urging drivers to avoid the area and check for live updates before travelling.
While the flames have been largely contained, the aftermath could take hours — or even days — to clear. Damage to the road surface means resurfacing work will likely follow once the debris is removed.
Motorists are being advised to remain patient and seek alternative routes if possible. Emergency services have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire, and no injuries have been reported at this stage.
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