M25 and M26 diversions as fire engulfs Tesco lorry

Motorists are facing lengthy delays on sections of the M25 and M26 after a Tesco lorry burst into flames following a crash.

Dashcam footage showed fire engulfing the lorry and a plume of smoke rising into the sky.

The incident happened on the clockwise carriageway between Clacket Lane service station and junction 6 near Godstone, Surrey, at about 22:00 BST on Sunday night.

The lorry driver escaped with minor injuries following the crash, according to police, but the incident has caused large-scale disruption for drivers.

National Highways said the closure of the M25 clockwise between junction five near Sevenoaks and junction six near Godstone was likely to remain in place throughout Monday.

Meanwhile, traffic on the M26 westbound between junction 2A near Wrotham Heath and M25/A21 had also been diverted.

Six fire crews, South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) and officers from Surrey Police attended the scene.

National Highways said a separate incident closing the east tunnel at Dartford meant the M26 diversion route was "severely congested".

Robert Bell, network operations manager for National Highways in the South East, said: “The challenging nature and extensive damage these incidents have caused means the closures are going to run into tonight’s commute and my advice is to please plan your journey, allow extra time, and avoid the area if you possibly can."

A spokeswoman for Surrey Fire and Rescue Service said shortly after 07:00 BST on Monday that there was still one engine at the scene.

She said: "The crew are currently dampening down hot spots.

"We’d like to take this opportunity to thank all staff and partners who were involved in tackling this blaze.”

Fire crews were at the scene for 10 hours, National Highways added.

Surrey Police said: "The M25 remains affected in both directions between J5 and J6.

"The anti-clockwise carriageway has reopened, but lane 3 and 4 (of 4) remain closed within J6."

National Highways added that specialist recovery would be required and the road surface would likely need to be resurfaced.

A Secamb spokesman said: "Secamb were called at 22:20 last night to reports of a fire on the M25 between Clacket Lane and junction 6 involving a lorry.

"Crews assessed one patient with minor injuries, who was discharged at the scene."