M25 traffic LIVE as motorway closed due to lorry fire chaos in Hertfordshire
A lorry has caught fire on the M25 in Hertfordshire, forcing police to close a stretch of the motorway[1]. The M25 is closed in both directions between junctions 25 (Waltham Cross) and 24 (Potters Bar). Hertfordshire Fire[2] and Rescue Service is leading the response to the incident and National Highways Traffic officers are assisting with traffic management.
16:42Emma O'NeillRecap
- A lorry fire has ground part of the M25 to a halt.
- There are severe delays of around 45 minutes between J25 A10 Great Cambridge Road (Enfield) and J24 A111 Stagg Hill (Potters Bar), with the road closed in both directions.
- Pictures show multiple firefighters and engines on the scene as they battle to put out the blaze.
- Other shots show huge queues as motorists wait in their static vehicles.
- It is not known if there have been any injuries.
- An emergency diversion is in place.
- Recovery work is underway.
Unidentified fluid seen on roadway
Th photo below shows an unidentified fluid running across the M25.
This could be anything from petrol to water. There has been no suggestion of any immediate evacuation of the area, suggesting it's not a combustible substance.
16:16Emma O'Neill
Recovery work underway
Recvoery work is now underway to remove the burntout lorry from the carriageway, according to traffic website Inrix. There is no indication of when this will be done.
Drivers should still avoid the area, with huge queues in place.
14:49KEY EVENTM25 now closed in both directions
National Highways has said the M25 is now closed in both directions between junctions 25 and 24 due to the lorry fire. The agency is reporting long delays of around 45 minutes.
14:28Eliana NunesDelays of up to 60 mins
Motorists are currently facing delays of up to 60 minutes, National Highways said.
14:10Eliana NunesPicture of scene
A picture shared on social media about one hour ago shows smoke billowing from the motorway. It appears the fire has now been brought under control.
Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to the scene at 12.54pm.
The lorry fire took place on the M25 in Hertfordshire (X/ Motorway Cameras)14:04KEY EVENT
Map shows closure and congestion on M25
A map shows the closure on the M25 anti-clockwise in Hertfordshire between J25 (Waltham Cross) and J24 (Potters Bar).
The M25 is closed anti-clockwise between junctions 25 (Waltham Cross) and 24 (Potters Bar) (Google Maps)13:53KEY EVENT
Diversion route in place
Traffic is being diverted via the hollow square symbol on road signs, National Highways said.
The following diversion route is in place for motorists on the M25 anticlockwise:
- Exit at J25 of the M25
- At the roundabout take the first exit on to the A10 southbound
- Continue on the A10 to the Great Cambridge Junction with the A406 North Circular
- Follow the A406 North Circular westbound to the junction with the A1
- Turn right on the A1 northbound
- Remain on the A1 northbound to J23 of the M25
- At the roundabout take the first exit to re-join the M25 anti-clockwise