Close-up video footage shows ‘scary’ lorry fire on M25 near Sevenoaks

New video footage has been shared which shows an up close look at the lorry fire which has closed a busy stretch of the M25 today[1] (October 21). Firefighters, police and paramedics rushed to the scene on the clockwise carriageway between Junction 5 for Sevenoaks[2] and Junction 6 for Godstone and Caterham shortly after 10pm on Sunday, October 20. There, a lorry belonging to Tesco had been involved in a collision before setting alight, forcing the M25[3] to shut in both directions, as well as the M26 westbound, until the early hours of the morning.

A passer-by managed to capture close-up video of emergency responders working at the scene to tackle the fire. In the clips, it can be seen that the fire had taken hold of almost the entire HGV, with dark plumes of smoke pouring out from the flames. Crews from both Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS)[4] attended and worked to bring the blaze under control.

A spokesperson for SFRS said today: “We have been dealing with a vehicle fire overnight on the M25 between Clacket Lane and Junction 6. At its peak, we had five fire engines and two water carriers in attendance.

Recovery works have taken place throughout the day (Image: National Highways)

“We left the scene at approximately 08:40am this morning. The anti-clockwise carriageway has re-opened, and lane 3 and 4 (of 4) remain closed within J6.

Please keep checking the National Highways website for updates.” Emergency services have confirmed that the driver of the lorry only sustained minor injuries[5]. Paramedics from South East Coast Ambulance Service treated the driver and they were discharged at the scene.

A motorist who witnessed the fire first hand spoke to SurreyLive[6] about what they saw. They explained: “Not long after I joined the M25 from M23 was when I saw the lorry on the other side of the motorway on fire. It must have happened just moments before I stopped my car.

The driver of the HGV sustained minor injuries and was treated by paramedics at the scene (Image: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)

“Response from the emergency services was quick. On two occasions I could hear a loud bang coming from the HGV as it was burning, at which point they instructed us to move back with our cars even further.

It was a scary situation, but I could see everyone who came to help remained calm and professional and kept us all safe.” At the time of writing, closures remain in place on the M25 clockwise and the M26 westbound, and National Highways has stated that it is not yet known when the motorways will re-open. Due to the nature of the fire and the damage caused to both the vehicle and carriageway, specialist recovery has been required and the road will likely need to be resurfaced.

Diversion routes are in place while the M25 and M26 remain shut, full details of which can be found here[7].

All further updates to this ongoing incident will be shared to our live blog[8].

Never get stuck in a jam again with our FREE traffic and travel email for KentLive readers. Find out more here.[9]

References

1. ^ closed a busy stretch of the M25 today (www.kentlive.news)
2. ^ Sevenoaks (www.kentlive.news)
3. ^ M25 (www.kentlive.news)
4. ^ Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) (www.kentlive.news)
5. ^ sustained minor injuries (www.kentlive.news)
6. ^ SurreyLive (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
7. ^ here (www.kentlive.news)
8. ^ live blog (www.kentlive.news)
9. ^ Find out more here. (www.kentlive.news)