‘It was a scary situation’

Photos and videos now show the scale of the lorry fire on the M25[1] on Sunday night (October 20) as well as the emergency response to it. Images shot during the blaze depict firefighters responding to flames and billowing smoke, while photos from Monday morning show the aftermath. Surrey Police responded to a single vehicle collision and fire[2] yesterday evening, where thankfully the driver only sustained minor injuries[3].

On Monday, the M25 saw long delays[4] as the clockwise carriageway and one lane of the anti-clockwise carriageway were closed all day between junction 5 and junction 6 and a diversion put in place[5]. Specialist recovery was required to deal with the burnt out remains of the lorry, and the road likely needs to be resurfaced.

One eyewitness who was on the motorway at the time of the fire told SurreyLive[8]: “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 of happened just moments before I stopped my car.

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 without 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.”

It is not clear when the road will will re-open fully, with the complexity of the clean up meaning it will take time.

To get live updates on this incident follow along with SurreyLive’s blog here[9]

References

1. ^ M25 (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
2. ^ a single vehicle collision and fire (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
3. ^ thankfully the driver only sustained minor injuries (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
4. ^ the M25 saw long delays (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
5. ^ diversion put in place (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
6. ^