At 7:15 AM BST on Thursday, October 30, 2025, a silver Volkswagen Passat (registration LX21 XHR) burst into flames on the southbound carriageway of the M25 between junctions 28 and 29, turning a routine morning commute into a gridlocked nightmare. The driver, David Michael Thorne, 52, of Chelmsford, suffered minor burns trying to put out the fire himself — a desperate act that bought precious minutes before emergency crews arrived. Within an hour, Brentwood to Basildon was choked by 8.7 miles of stationary traffic, with 1,842 vehicles stranded. It wasn’t just a delay. It was a system failure — and the wind was getting worse.
How a Single Car Fire Paralyzed a Nation’s Ring Road
The fire started without warning. No explosion. No collision. Just smoke, then flames, then a full-blown inferno consuming the Volkswagen Passat. By 7:23 AM, Highways England confirmed both lanes were blocked. Traffic piled up toward junction 27 — a line stretching farther than the distance from central London to Dartford. By 9:25 AM, Google Maps showed speeds dipping to 0.8 mph. Waze recorded over a thousand user reports in 15 minutes. People weren’t just stuck — they were trapped, with no visibility, no heat, and no clear end in sight.
What made this worse? The weather. The Met Office had issued an amber warning: 55 mph winds were due by 11:00 AM. That wasn’t just uncomfortable — it was dangerous. Embers could leap the embankment near Ingrave, igniting the dry gorse that lines the motorway. National Highways had deployed fire-retardant foam units. But they’d been here before. "This is the third major fire at this location since 2023," said Chief Resilience Officer David Martin. On October 15, 2023, a similar blaze caused five hours of chaos.
Emergency Response: 36 Fire Crews and a Race Against Time
By 8:02 AM, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service had activated Major Incident Protocol 7.2. Special Service Number 554 — the Incident Command Unit — rolled in. Soon, 17 fire appliances arrived, then 25, then 36. Under the command of Station Manager Paul Robert Cook, a 28-year veteran, crews worked in shifts to contain the blaze while evacuating motorists.
Among the stranded were 12 vulnerable people — including three diabetic passengers needing insulin. Essex Police Chief Inspector Emma Louise Richardson confirmed they were moved to temporary welfare centers at Brentwood services using Highways England’s Incident Support Vehicles. "We treated this like a disaster response," she said. "Not just traffic — people’s health was at risk."
Meanwhile, National Highways activated Emergency Diversion Route Alpha: A127 to A130 to A12. But the A127, already overloaded, saw congestion spike 220% beyond capacity. Freight Transport Association data showed 287 heavy goods vehicles were rerouted, delaying deliveries across southeast England. "We’re talking about fresh produce rotting in trucks," said one logistics manager, speaking anonymously. "This isn’t just inconvenience. It’s supply chain damage."
The Human Cost: Lost Hours, Lost Income
By 10:00 AM, 472 vehicles still sat motionless. The Association of British Drivers estimated preliminary economic losses at £2.3 million — based on 18,400 commuters delayed over 90 minutes, with an average salary of £38,500. That’s not just lost wages. It’s missed appointments, delayed surgeries, children late for school, nurses missing shifts. One woman told a BBC reporter she’d missed her mother’s chemotherapy appointment. "I cried in the car," she said. "I couldn’t even call to say why."
David Michael Thorne was taken to Basildon University Hospital with superficial burns to his hands and forearms. His injuries were classified as Category 3 — serious, but not life-threatening. He’s expected to be discharged within 48 hours. His car? Gone. "It was my only transport," he told reporters from his hospital bed. "Now I’ve got nothing."
What’s Next? A System Under Strain
Full clearance is now expected by 1:15 PM — three hours later than initially projected. Wind conditions forced a slower, more cautious approach. Highways England’s Chief Operating Officer, Gwyneth Dunwoody, confirmed crews were now working under "extreme environmental risk." The incident triggered the Strategic Road Network Emergency Protocol, requiring bi-hourly briefings to the Department for Transport’s Permanent Secretary, Sarah Healey.
Essex County Council responded swiftly, deploying 12 emergency bus shuttles from Brentwood services to Romford station under its Major Incident Transport Plan. "We’re trying to keep people moving, even if the road won’t," said Cabinet Member for Transport Kevin Bentley.
But the big question lingers: Why here? Why again? The stretch between junctions 28 and 29 has seen three major fires since 2023. All occurred in autumn. All involved older vehicles. All coincided with dry, windy conditions. Experts suspect a combination of aging infrastructure, lack of vegetation clearance, and increasing numbers of high-mileage commuter cars. "It’s not a fluke," said Dr. Helen Lowe, a transport resilience analyst at Imperial College. "It’s a pattern. And patterns become policies — or tragedies."
What This Means for Your Commute
For the next few days, expect delays on the A127 and A130. The M25 will reopen — but not without scrutiny. The Department for Transport has promised a review of fire risk mitigation on the Strategic Road Network. Meanwhile, drivers are being urged to check their vehicles before long journeys — especially older models with known electrical faults. And if you see smoke? Call 101 immediately. Don’t wait. Don’t assume someone else has. That’s what saved lives today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the M25 fire cause such massive delays?
The fire blocked both southbound lanes on a stretch already handling 14,200 vehicles per hour. With no detour options within the immediate area, traffic backed up for 8.7 miles. Wind conditions prevented rapid extinguishing, forcing crews to prioritize evacuations over firefighting. The diversion routes (A127/A130/A12) were already at capacity, creating cascading congestion across Essex and Kent.
Who is responsible for maintaining fire safety on the M25?
National Highways is legally responsible for road safety, including vegetation management and incident response planning. However, local fire services like Essex County Fire and Rescue Service handle emergency response. Critics argue that vegetation clearance along the M25 has been inconsistent since 2020, increasing fire risk — especially near areas like Ingrave with dense gorse.
How many people were affected by the closure?
Official figures confirm 1,842 vehicles were trapped between junctions 28 and 29. The Association of British Drivers estimates 18,400 commuters were affected, with additional impacts on 287 HGVs and thousands more using diverted routes. Over 12 vulnerable individuals required medical assistance, and emergency services evacuated 3 diabetic patients needing insulin.
Why was the clearance time pushed back to 1:15 PM?
Initial estimates assumed wind conditions would remain stable. But the Met Office upgraded its warning to amber, forecasting 55 mph gusts by 11:00 AM. Fire crews had to slow operations to prevent embers from igniting nearby vegetation — a repeat of the October 2023 incident. Safety over speed became the priority, delaying full clearance by over three hours.
Is this the first time the M25 has been shut down by a car fire?
No. This is the third major fire-related closure on this stretch since 2023. A similar incident occurred on October 15, 2023, causing five hours of delays. In 2022, a van fire at junction 29 led to a 3.5-hour shutdown. Experts point to a recurring pattern: autumn weather, aging vehicles, and insufficient roadside vegetation control. National Highways has acknowledged the trend but has not yet implemented a permanent mitigation plan.
What should drivers do if their car catches fire on the motorway?
Stop immediately, turn off the engine, and evacuate — even if the fire seems small. Get at least 50 meters away from the vehicle and call 999. Do not attempt to retrieve belongings. Most car fires spread within 30 seconds and release toxic fumes. The driver of the Passat acted bravely but dangerously; emergency services strongly advise against intervening unless you’re trained and equipped. Your life is more important than your car.
