Traffic chaos as fire closes A12

One of London's busiest roads is closed today causing huge traffic disruption for thousands of commuters.

The A12 around the Blackwall Tunnel was closed after a fire at the Graham welding plant raised fears that acetylene gas cylinders might explode. Police closed roads and put up a 100-metre exclusion zone around the plant in Hancock Road, Bow, last night. The A12 between the tunnel and the A11 roundabout will stay closed until 8pm.

Six fire engines spent hours spraying the cylinders with cold water to stop them getting hot enough to explode. They now have to be left for 24 hours to cool down.

A police spokesman said: "These roads would normally carry many motorists. Police urge travellers to avoid the area or seek alternative transport. Delays will extend to roads in the surrounding areas."

A spokesman for London Fire Brigade said: "The fire is under control but acetylene can be a volatile substance."