Motorists face rush hour chaos as two lorry fires block a busy motorway in two separate incidents on the M25 in Essex. The motorway is closed anti-clockwise between junctions 28 and 27 due to an HGV blaze, with a full closure also in place between junctions 27 and 26 from another fire.
Emergency services, including Essex Police, are at the scene, and National Highways has warned of long delays. Traffic cameras show the vehicles engulfed in flames with big plumes of smoke and queues of stationary traffic.
Key Updates
Junction 27 Diversion Route
Road users travelling anti-clockwise are advised to follow the hollow square diversion symbol visible on local road signs. Exit the M25 at junction 27 onto the M11 southbound and continue to junction 4. Exit the M11 onto the A406 westbound and continue for approximately 6 miles to the junction with the A10. Take the A10 northbound to rejoin the M25 at junction 25.
Lorry Engulfed by Huge Flames
The initial lorry fire was reported shortly after 3:05 am between junction 26 and junction 27. Fire crews will continue working to extinguish the blaze and make the vehicle safe before recovery can begin. Specialist recovery will then be required to remove the HGV, followed by inspections of the carriageway and infrastructure for any fire-related damage. Repairs or clean-up may be needed before the road can reopen. At this stage, no reopening time is available.
Disruption Expected Across M25
The disruption is likely to increase across the M25 in Essex, according to National Highways. The large amount of traffic is building from two separate lorry fires this morning.
No Significant Delays at Junction 27
The M25 remains closed anticlockwise between junction 27 Epping and junction 26 Waltham Abbey due to a lorry fire. Essex Fire Service remain at the scene, and National Highways claim there are no significant delays at these junctions.
One Mile of Congestion
According to National Highways, there are current delays of up to 10 minutes, with one mile of congestion on approach.
Diversion in Place
Due to long-term roadworks at Gallows Corner, the usual agreed diversion for this closure cannot be used. Traffic looking to travel anti-clockwise between junctions 28 and 26 will need to follow the route below:
- At junction 28: Exit the M25 onto the A12 eastbound.
- Continue along the A12 eastbound towards junction 15.
- Exit the A12 at junction 15 onto the A414 northbound towards Chelmsford.
- At the Widford roundabout, take the first exit and continue on the A414 westbound.
- Continue along the A414 westbound to junction 7 of the M11.
- Take the first exit onto the M11 southbound at junction 7.
- Exit the M11 onto the A406 westbound and continue for approximately 6 miles to the junction with the A10.
- Take the A10 northbound to rejoin the M25 at junction 25.
M25 Closed from Junction 26 to 28
The M25 in Essex is closed anti-clockwise between junctions 28 and 27 due to a vehicle fire. There is also a full closure due to a separate vehicle fire between junctions 27 and 26. This has effectively closed the M25 all the way from junction 28 to junction 26. Emergency services, including Essex Police, are at the scene. National Highways Traffic Officers are also in attendance assisting with traffic management.
Traffic Building at Junction 28
Long queues are forming at junction 28 following the lorry fire. The M25 is closed between junction 28 Brentwood and junction 27 Epping due to an HGV fire following a crash. Traffic cameras show huge queues reaching back to junction 30 as emergency services remain on scene.
Lorry Destroyed in Blaze
The lorry involved in the incident between junctions 27 and 26 appears to be destroyed. Traffic cameras show the vehicle blocking the M25 with emergency services on scene.
No Delays Anticlockwise
According to National Highways, there are no delays on the approach to junction 28 anticlockwise.
All Emergency Services Heading to Scene
As there are two separate fire incidents on neighbouring junctions on the M25, all emergency services are heading to the scene.
Queues Forming on M25
Traffic cameras show a build-up of vehicles on the M25 following the incidents. There are queues between junctions 27 and 28 as two vehicles are alight.
Second Lorry Alight on M25
The M25 is closed between junction 28 Brentwood and junction 27 Epping due to an HGV fire following a traffic collision. All emergency services are heading to the scene. This is a separate incident from an earlier HGV fire between junctions 27 and 26. No delays on the approach to junction 28 anticlockwise.
Separate Incident on M25
There has been another incident on the M25 this morning. A driver claimed there has been an accident in the queue to leave at junction 27 too. A spokesperson responded: "We are aware of another incident in this location and will issue an update shortly."
Essex Fire Service on Scene
Firefighters are tackling the blaze on the M25 in the early hours. There are currently no further updates.
Another Picture of Vehicle Blaze
Another picture shows the lorry fully ablaze on the M25, as traffic remains blocked as a result of the incident. Fire crews are at the scene and working to extinguish the fire.
Closure Likely to Extend into Morning Peak Travel Period
Due to the intensity of the blaze, the closure is likely to extend into the morning peak travel period. There are no delays on approach, according to National Highways.
