Watch huge fuel tanker fire cause M25 Orpington closure | News Shopper

2022-07-29 23:07:56 By : Mr. Allan Sun

Parts of the M25 near Orpington were closed yesterday after a fuel tanker caught on fire, causing chaos on the motorway.

The fire spread up the grassy verge next to the carriageway, causing a wildfire.

Traffic was temporarily held between Junction Four, Orpington, and Junction Five, Sevenoaks, in both directions.

The traffic was later released anti-clockwise but clockwise traffic remained held as the emergency services were concerned that the tanker could explode or catch fire again.

After final checks at the scene, traffic was released clockwise in lanes two and three, but lane one remained closed for ongoing clean up.

This led to around four miles of traffic on approach, causing delays of 45 minutes.

There are no reported delays this morning.

A spokesperson for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said: “Kent Fire and Rescue Service is responding to a tanker truck fire on the M25 between junction 4 (Orpington) and junction 5 (Sevenoaks).

“Three fire engines and a bulk water carrier are at the scene, and traffic has been stopped in both directions while the fire is dealt with.

“Crews are using foam and hose reel jets to tackle the blaze.

“There are no reported injuries.”

A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said: “We were called at 4.28pm yesterday to reports of a petrol tanker alight on the M25 between junction four and five southbound.

“We had two fire engines from Orpington Fire Station at the scene, but Kent Fire and Rescue led the incident.”

Have you got a story for us? You can contact us here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

Sign up to our newsletters to get updates sent straight to your inbox.

We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.

Please report any comments that break our rules.

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here

© 2001-2022. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. A Gannett Company. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. HP10 9TY. Registered in England & Wales | 01676637 |

Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event.

As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles.

Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services.

These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience – the local community.

It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times.