M25 anti-clockwise closures due to two lorry fires

2 hours ago

Alex Pope

News image — Crews from Essex County Fire and Rescue are at the scene

National Highways A large fire on a road, showing a lorry in flames and firefighters working to put it out. Fire engines are on the road and you can only just see their lights. — Crews from Essex County Fire and Rescue are at the scene

Parts of the M25 have been closed after two separate lorry fires.

The motorway has been shut anti-clockwise in Essex between junction 28 for Brentwood and junction 27 for Epping, due to a vehicle fire, National Highways said.

The road has also been closed between junction 27, for the M11, and junction 26 near Waltham Abbey due to a second lorry fire.

Due to the "intensity of the blaze" disruption is expected to continue throughout the morning, the body added.

National Highways A lorry on fire on the M25, showing a burnout vehicle, the rest of the image is blurred. — The road is expected to be closed for most of the morning rush hour

Emergency services, including Essex Police, are at the scene and officers from National Highways are assisting with traffic management.

The fire, between junction 27 and junction 26, was reported at about 03:05 BST when the lorry was "well alight", and all four lanes were closed, National Highways said.

The fire has now been put out and trapped traffic has been released, National Highways said.

"The lorry shed a significant load across the carriageway which we expect to take some time to clear," it added.

It will then be removed and the condition of the road assessed before any lane can reopen, it said.

National Highways Two fire engines on the M15, with firefighters at the scene. There is a grass bank and trees to the left. Flames can be seen in the distance. — The motorway remains closed anti-clockwise

The second crash, which happened shortly afterwards, involved two lorries in queuing traffic between junction 28 and junction 27, which caused one of the vehicles to catch on fire.

"Trapped traffic has been released but a full carriageway closure will remain until the police have concluded their investigation at the scene," National Highways said.

It warned drivers to expect delays in the area, to plan their journey and allow extra time to travel, adding it did not know when the road would reopen.

Essex Police said it was working with emergency services at the scene of "as serious collision".

"We know this will cause disruption, but this is important work and we'd urge motorists to find alternative routes," the force said.

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