M25 travel misery as van engulfed in flames causing chaos for rush hour drivers

16 November 2023 , 10:00

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A fire has broken out on the M25

A van fire has broken out on the M25 causing rush hour chaos.

The vehicle was seen erupting earlier on Thursday morning as cameras picked up the moment a fireball was seen. Emergency services rushed to the scene near junction 5 for Sevenoaks, Kent, on the motorway's clockwise carriageway.

Traffic was still being held on the approach to the scene on Thursday morning following the incident, with congestion stretching back to the A21 and Clacket Lane services. Disruption is expected for at least another hour as services work to clear the scene.

A van fire on the M25 has broken out and sparked rush hour travel chaos

A National Highways spokesperson said earlier “Traffic has temporarily stopped on the M25 clockwise between J5 and J6 due to a vehicle fire. Traffic remains blocked and the Kent Fire and Rescue Service remains working on the scene.”

The authority which runs Britain's motorway network has since confirmed that the motorway is back open. However, there are still delays of up to 90 minutes, and motorists are being urged to re-plan their routes.

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Thankfully, the driver was uninjured in the fire. A spokesperson for the fire service said: "Kent Fire and Rescue Service was called to reports of a van alight on the M25 clockwise between Junction 5 for Sevenoaks and Junction 7 for Eastbourne.

"Two fire engines attended and crews wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the flames using hose reel jets and compressed air foam. No injuries were reported."

Susie Beever