M25 closure LIVE: Truck fire rips across major motorway as black smoke fills sky

Major disruption has hit the M25 this afternoon after a 'serious' fire involving a lorry on the carriageway. Photographs show a large cloud of dark smoke rising from the blaze, with multiple fire [1] engines at the scene. The carriageway is currently closed on the M25 [2] between J30 (A13) and J29 (A127) going anticlockwise, and has reopened in the clockwise direction.

15:43Liam Doyle

Full warning from AA as delays continue

The AA, which is also monitoring the M25 situation, said in its own statement that there remain "severe delays" on the M25 and heavy traffic on the A13.

The organisation said: "Road closed and severe delays due to truck fire on M25 anticlockwise from J30 A282 (Lakeside / Purfleet) to J29 A127 Southend Arterial Road (Romford / Basildon). Congestion to J3 (M20 Swanley interchange) back through the tunnels. The A13 is also heavy on approach."

14:53Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas

Road expected to need resurfacing as delays to continue for 'several hours'

National Highways officials now believe the carriageway on the M25 heading anticlockwise will require resurfacing following today's lorry fire.

Delays on the stretch of motorway will continue for "several hours", a spokesperson said.

14:39Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas

Clockwise lane re-opens to traffic

In the last few minutes, National Highways has announced that the clockwise carriageway between J29 and J30 has reopened to traffic, with lanes three and four remaining closed. A full closure is still in place on all lanes heading anticlockwise.

14:36Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas

'Avoid the area'

Drivers have been urged to avoid the area as firefighters continue their efforts.

We are dealing with a lorry fire on M25, clockwise junctions 29 to 30. The lorry is carrying tyres, which are alight and are producing large amounts of smoke.

Clockwise: closed. Anticlockwise: delays. Avoid the area if you can and take extra care if you're near the scene. pic.twitter.com/6wiKKEQ11L [3]

-- Essex Fire Service (@ECFRS) August 13, 2025 [4]14:19Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas

Dark black smoke rises from lorry fire

Thick, dark smoke has been seen rising above the M25 following the lorry fire, which we now know has seen a cargo of tyres caught alight.

The blaze broke out on the M25 near Lakeside Shopping Centre (EssexLive/BPM)14:11Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas

Lorry was carrying tyres, fire service confirms

The Essex County Fire and Rescue Service say they are continuing to deal with the lorry fire on the M25.

They have confirmed that the lorry was carrying a load of tyres, causing the "large amounts of smoke" visible for several miles around.

14:03KEY EVENT

Massive flames seen above the motorway in new photo

Another image from the scene shows huge flames rising tens of feet into the sky after the lorry caught fire this afternoon.

The M25 has been closed in both directions (EssexLive/BPM)13:55Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas

How many people use the M25 every day?

Approximately 200,000 to 250,000 motorists use the M25 each day - making it one of the nation's busiest motorways.

13:51Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas

M25 delays threaten rush hour

While the peak of the rush hour is still several hours away, the exent of the fire and the long delays of over an hour along the motorway could see disruption spill over into this evening's commuter rush. Stay with us for all the latest information on the M25 closure.

13:49Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas

Diversion for motorists travelling clockwise

Here are the details of the diversion in place for motorists heading clockwise on the M25:

From M25 Junction 30 exit slip roundabout take 3rdexit onto A13 towards Tilbury.
At A128 bear left onto exit slip and then take 1st exit at "OrsettCock" roundabout onto A128 towards Brentwood.
At "Halfway House" roundabout take 1st exit onto A127 towards London.
Follow A127 and take exit slip towards M25 Junction 29 and then take 3rd exit at roundabout to rejoin M25 towards Stanstead.

13:47KEY EVENT

Motorway closed in both directions

The M25 is now closed in both directions, according to National Highways.

13:41Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas

Diversions for road users travelling anti-clockwise

The section of the M25 going anti-clockwise between J30 (A13) and J29 (A127) remains closed as firefighters continue their efforts. National Highways have put in place the following diversion:

From M25 Junction 30 exit slip roundabout take 3rdexit onto A13 towards Tilbury.
At A128 bear left onto exit slip and then take 1st exit at "OrsettCock" roundabout onto A128 towards Brentwood.
At "Halfway House" roundabout take 1st exit onto A127 towards London.
Follow A127 and take exit slip towards M25 Junction 29 and then take 3rd exit at roundabout to rejoin M25 towards Stansted.

13:34Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas

Delays of up to 60 minutes

That's the latest from National Highways, who say delays are now stretching to an hour as firefighters continue to respond to the incident.

Diversions are also now in place, and we'll be bringing you details of those shortly.

13:27KEY EVENT

Huge fire breaks out on one of Britain's busiest motorways

Another picture from the scene shows traffic queuing up behind the lorry fire as emergency services respond to the incident.

Motorists have been warned to expect disruption to continue for some time.

The fire has closed the M25 going anticlockwise (@ActualRadioUK)13:22Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas

Map shows delays covering wide area

The knock-on effects of the M25 closure are already being felt across Essex's road network, with a new map showing traffic disruption across the county this afternoon.

M25 Anticlockwise- CLOSED between J30 (A13) and J29 (A127) due to a serious lorry fire.Long delays back through the Dartford Tunnels.

-- Essex Travel News (@Essex_Travel) August 13, 2025 [5]13:15Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas

'Serious' lorry fire closes motorway

The M25 is closed between J30 (A13) and J29 (A127) as result of the 'serious' lorry fire, Essex County Council have confirmed.

M25 Anticlockwise- CLOSED between J30 (A13) and J29 (A127) due to a serious lorry fire.Long delays back through the Dartford Tunnels.

-- Essex Travel News (@Essex_Travel) August 13, 2025 [6]13:12Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas

Delays stretching back to Dartford Tunnel

Essex County Council say delays from the incident are now stretching back to the Dartford Tunnel.

13:08Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas

Traffic stuck behind lorry fire

A large queue of traffic is building up behind the site of the lorry fire on the M25.

The blaze has broken out on the anticlockwise lane, though the outside lane going clockwise is also closed due to the smoke.

13:06Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas

Long delays on both sides of motorway

Both the northbound and southbound carriageway are affected by the disruption.

13:01Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas

More to follow

We'll be bringing you the latest on this breaking news story.

References

^ fire (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ M25 (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ pic.twitter.com/6wiKKEQ11L (t.co)
^ August 13, 2025 (twitter.com)
^ August 13, 2025 (twitter.com)
^ August 13, 2025 (twitter.com)