A dramatic lorry fire on the M25 near Romford caused chaos for commuters, with tailbacks stretching over 10 miles during rush hour. Emergency services were called to the scene after the vehicle burst into flames, sending thick plumes of smoke across the motorway.
The incident occurred between junctions 29 and 30 near Thurrock, Essex, forcing authorities to close two lanes. Firefighters battled the blaze for hours, while stranded motorists faced lengthy delays.
Traffic Gridlock Across Essex
National Highways warned drivers to expect significant disruption, with congestion building rapidly on surrounding routes. Long queues formed on approach to the Dartford Crossing as traffic was diverted away from the affected section.
An eyewitness described seeing "flames shooting several metres into the air" as the lorry became engulfed in fire. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
Commuters Face Lengthy Delays
Motorists reported being stuck in standstill traffic for over two hours, with some abandoning their vehicles at service stations. Local bus services were also affected, with Transport for London advising passengers to allow extra journey time.
By late afternoon, one lane remained closed for recovery operations, with crews working to remove the burnt-out vehicle. Air quality monitoring was conducted amid concerns about pollution from the fire.
This marks the third major incident on this stretch of the M25 this month, raising questions about safety measures along Britain's busiest orbital motorway.
