All lanes now open after M25 lorry fire

Three lanes of the M25 in Kent have reopened after an HGV fire blocked the road between junctions six and five anti-clockwise.

The incident occurred at 16:05 BST on Monday, near Westerham, with drivers then stuck in their vehicles after the motorway shut at 17:14. No injuries were reported.

A single lane of traffic was being allowed past the scene from about 20:00, and just after 05:00 National Highways confirmed that lanes one, two and three had reopened following the lengthy closure.

Crews from Kent Fire and Rescue Service were at the scene well into the night as the recovery and clean-up took place.

People could be seen getting out of their vehicles [National Highways]

On Monday evening, traffic camera images showed long queues of people getting out of their vehicles and standing on the carriageway.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: "At the height of the fire, four fire engines and a bulk water carrier attended.

"Crews wearing breathing apparatus have been working to unload the contents of the lorry and extinguish the fire using main jets.

"The incident is now being scaled down to one fire engine and a bulk water carrier."

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Gridlock as lorry catches fire on M25