A major incident unfolded on the M25 this Friday morning after a dramatic lorry fire forced the complete closure of the anti-clockwise carriageway, causing chaos for thousands of commuters and creating delays of up to 60 minutes.
Emergency Response on Britain's Busiest Motorway
Emergency services rushed to the scene between junctions 11 and 10 anti-clockwise following reports of a heavy goods vehicle engulfed in flames. Surrey Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they had multiple fire engines tackling the blaze, which sent thick plumes of black smoke visible for miles across the Surrey countryside.
"We were called to a lorry fire on the M25 anti-clockwise between junctions 11 and 10 at approximately 8:30 am this morning," a spokesperson for Surrey Fire and Rescue Service stated. "Crews are currently working to extinguish the fire and make the area safe."
Travel Chaos During Friday Rush Hour
The timing couldn't be worse for travellers, with the incident occurring during the busy Friday morning rush hour. National Highways has implemented a full closure while emergency operations continue, warning motorists to expect significant disruption throughout the morning.
Current traffic conditions show:
- Severe delays stretching back several miles
- Stationary traffic on approach to the closure
- Alternative routes experiencing heavy congestion
- Estimated delay times of 60 minutes above usual journey times
Diversion Routes and Alternative Travel Advice
Drivers are being urged to avoid the area entirely if possible. Official diversion routes have been established, but these are already experiencing heavy traffic as motorists seek alternatives.
National Highways advised: "If this closure impacts your journey, please allow extra travel time. Consider alternative routes if possible and check our social media channels for the latest updates before travelling."
The incident serves as another reminder of the vulnerability of Britain's critical road infrastructure and the domino effect a single incident can have on the road network during peak travel times.
