M25 grinds to halt for hours after Porsche catches fire

Motorists were stunned when a Porsche burst into flames bringing traffic to a standstill on the M25. 

The car fire took place between Junction 25 (Waltham Cross) and Junction 27 (M11), at around 1.45pm on Saturday.

Lanes on the M25 clockwise were closed for over two-and-a-half hours, finally reopening at around 4.38pm.

Highways England shared dramatic photos of firefighters tackling the fire as thick, grey smoke billowed from the vehicle.

Footage on social media showed two people standing beside the road as the carnage unfolded before their eyes.

Images captured in the aftermath showed the burnt-out shell of the vehicle, largely reduced to cinders. 

Huge queues built up on the M25 causing severe delays for drivers.

Motorists were diverted onto the A10 towards London and advised to take the first exit onto the A406 ‘North Circular Road’ towards the M11, Walthamstow and Edmonton.

By 2.48pm, one of four lanes on the M25 clockwise remained closed, with National Highways Traffic Officers still at the scene. 

All lanes were back open by 4.38pm, National Highways East wrote on X. 

Elsewhere on the network, drivers on the M61 southbound saw disruption for almost an hour after a collision.

Two lanes between Junction 2 and Junction 1 were closed along the motorway, which goes from Manchester and Preston.

Disruption was first reported at around 12.20pm with traffic brought  back to normal after 1pm. 

Last night, a woman was left fighting for her life after a collision on the A19 in Holystone, North Tyneside, at around 10.40pm.

Northumbria Police said two men, aged in their 20s and 30s, were later arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

A section of the road was closed well into Saturday, reopening in both directions at around 3.30pm.

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