A major lorry fire has brought a section of the M25 to a complete standstill, causing severe disruption for thousands of motorists.
Motorway Shut in Both Directions
The incident, which occurred on Friday, 16 January 2026, led to the closure of the motorway in both directions between Junction 25 for the A10 Great Cambridge Road in Enfield and Junction 24 for the A111 Stagg Hill in Potters Bar. National Highways confirmed the closure, stating that emergency services, including Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, were in attendance at the scene.
Dramatic pictures from the scene showed a completely burnt-out lorry, with multiple fire engines and crews working to extinguish the blaze. The cause of the fire is not yet known, and it is unclear if there were any injuries.
Severe Delays and Queuing Traffic
The closure has resulted in severe delays of approximately 45 minutes on the approach to the affected area. Other images revealed extensive queues of static vehicles as traffic ground to a halt. National Highways Traffic Officers were deployed to assist with managing the significant congestion.
The agency issued a statement advising drivers to avoid the area if possible and to expect long delays while the emergency operation continues. The road closure is expected to remain in place for some time to allow for the fire to be dealt with and for recovery of the damaged vehicle to take place.
Ongoing Response and Travel Advice
All lanes were blocked following the lorry fire on the M25, creating a major bottleneck on the already busy orbital motorway. Motorists are being urged to plan alternative routes and to check for updates before travelling.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the widespread disruption that can be caused by a single vehicle fire on a critical transport artery like the M25. Recovery and investigation work will follow once the scene is made safe by the fire service.
