M25 traffic delays after vehicle transporter catches fire

Motorists are facing long delays this morning after a vehicle transporter caught fire on the M25.

The anticlockwise stretch of the motorway between Enfield and Potters Bar was forced to closed after the articulated double-decker transporter hauling ten Mercedes cars burst into flames.

Firefighters from London Fire Brigade and Hertfordshire were despatched to battle the blaze, while police officers were on the scene directing traffic.

Steve Dudeney, London Fire Brigade’s Borough Commander for Hackney, was at the scene, he said: “On the approach to the incident we saw a huge plume of smoke so realised straight away the severity of the fire. Firefighters worked really hard to extinguish the fire as quickly as possible, well aware of the traffic chaos it was causing.

“The car transporter was badly damaged by the blaze, as were several of the cars it was carrying.”

Adam Prescott was caught up in the queuing traffic. He said: "[It was] slow from A10 when I came through, now several fire units and police on scene."

The motorway was closed anti-clockwise between junctions J24 and J25, and although traffic has now been released, there are still delays tailing back as far as J27, and on surrounding roads.

Some motorists have faced delays of up to two hours after being caught up in the aftermath of the incident.

Paul Boon tweeted, saying: "Sitting on #M25 haven't moved for nearly 2 hours Junc 27."

While Joel Freedman posted: "...on the #M25 been sat here for over two hours!"

While Sam Allen tweeted: "Never seen so much traffic on the M25. Been driving for half hour & the queue on the other side still stretches for miles."