Drivers are being warned of lengthy delays following a devastating fire on the M25, which has shut the busy motorway.

The M25 anticlockwise between Junction 30 (Dartford Crossing) and Junction 29 (Romford) has been closed due to an active vehicle fire.

National Highways: East reported that there are delays of at least 30 minutes in the area after an HGV that was fully laden with car tyres burst into flames.

Essex Fire and Rescue Service are at the scene to extinguish the fire, with smoke being seen along the motorway.

Drivers can expect long delays on the M25 following the fire

Posting on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, National Highways said a diversion route would be provided in due course.

Traffic maps suggest that normal road conditions will not return until at least 3.15pm later this afternoon.

Similarly, it will take the same amount of time for the event to clear, although this could be extended further.

GB News has contacted Essex Fire and Rescue Service for a comment.

A plume of smoke from the fire can be seen along the M25

National Highways added: "Due to the nature of the fire, it is still anticipated that the road will remain closed throughout the day, with resurfacing likely to be required.

"Plans are being put in place to relieve traffic caught within the closure. Traffic has temporarily stopped on the clockwise carriageway while fire services continue to work on scene."

Traffic maps show long delays and road chaos as a result of the fire near the Dartford Tunnel

Long queues of traffic can be seen between J30 and J29 of the M25