A major incident on the M25 motorway has brought traffic to a standstill in both directions after a lorry caught fire, sending plumes of smoke across the carriageway.
Emergency Response at the Scene
The fire broke out on the afternoon of Friday, 16 January 2026, near Waltham Cross in Hertfordshire. Emergency services, including crews from Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service, were quickly dispatched to tackle the blaze. National Highways Traffic Officers are also on site, assisting with traffic management around the incident.
Severe Traffic Disruption
As a direct result of the lorry fire, the motorway has been fully closed between junctions 25 and 24. The closure during the Friday rush hour has led to severe congestion, with queues backing up for several miles. National Highways has officially warned drivers to expect delays of up to 45 minutes and is urging people to avoid the area entirely if possible.
Photographs from the scene show fire crews dealing with the incident as stationary traffic stretches into the distance. The cause of the fire is not yet known, and it remains unclear how long the clean-up and investigation will take.
Advice for Drivers
With the M25 closure causing significant disruption on one of the UK's busiest orbital routes, motorists are advised to plan alternative journeys carefully. Real-time traffic information is available via the National Highways website and app. Commuters should allow for considerable extra travel time if their route is affected by the incident in Hertfordshire.
