Car Fire Sparks Major Delays On Kent M25

Traffic ground to a halt on a busy stretch of the M25 in Kent this Friday, January 16, 2026, after a car being transported on the back of a recovery truck suddenly caught fire. The incident unfolded between Junction 5 (Chipstead and Sevenoaks) and Junction 6 (Godstone), bringing one of the UK’s most crucial motorways to a standstill in both directions for nearly an hour, according to reports from both Surrey Live and KentLive.

It was just after lunchtime—12:37 PM to be precise—when the Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) received reports of a vehicle alight near Brasted, Sevenoaks. The fire, which erupted on the recovery truck, quickly became a major concern for motorists and authorities alike. As a precaution and to allow emergency crews to tackle the blaze safely, National Highways stopped all traffic in both directions between the two junctions. The result? Long lines of vehicles, frustrated drivers, and a dramatic scene that played out across the region’s traffic updates and social media feeds.

“Kent Fire and Rescue Service was called at 12.37pm today (16 January) to reports of a vehicle alight on the M25 near Brasted, Sevenoaks, between Junction 5 for Chipstead and Junction 6 for Godstone. Two fire engines attended, and crews extinguished the fire using hose reel jets. No injuries have been reported,” a KFRS spokesperson told both Surrey Live and KentLive. The professionalism of the fire crews meant that, despite the dramatic flames and thick smoke, no one was hurt—a relief for all involved.

But while the fire itself was brought under control relatively quickly, the impact on traffic was immediate and severe. Congestion built up rapidly, especially on the clockwise carriageway, where queues stretched for three miles and delays of up to 50 minutes were reported. On the anti-clockwise side, drivers faced less than a mile of congestion, but even that translated into half-hour waits. National Highways data showed that traffic was stopped from around 12:30 PM until 1:20 PM, as emergency services worked to clear the scene and ensure the motorway was safe for travel once more.

Travel monitoring service Inrix, cited by both local news outlets, confirmed the extent of the disruption: “Long delays cleared, earlier vehicle fire on M25 clockwise from J5 M26 / A21 (Sevenoaks) to Clacket Lane Services. After a car on the back of a recovery truck caught fire near the Services, stopped from 12:30 until 13:20.” For those stuck in the queues, it was a test of patience—and a reminder of just how dependent the region is on the smooth running of its major roads.

As the incident unfolded, live updates from Surrey Live and KentLive kept motorists and residents informed. Social media posts from National Highways: South-East confirmed the timeline and efforts to clear the carriageway: “All lanes are now open on the #M25 in both directions between J5 #Chipstead and J6 #Godstone. The earlier car fire has been cleared. Clockwise, there's 6 miles of congestion, 60 minute delays remain. Anticlockwise, less than 1 mile of congestion remains.” Even after the flames were extinguished and the wreckage removed, it took time for traffic to return to normal, with residual delays persisting for some time.

The cause of the fire on the recovery truck remains unconfirmed, but the quick response from KFRS was crucial in preventing further escalation. “People are advised to check for traffic updates before travelling towards the affected area,” the fire service spokesperson added, underscoring the importance of staying informed during such incidents.

For many, the disruption was a stark illustration of how a single incident can ripple across one of the country’s busiest roads. The M25, often dubbed “the London Orbital,” is notorious for traffic jams, but events like this highlight the vulnerability of even well-managed infrastructure to unexpected emergencies. On a typical Friday, the motorway sees thousands of vehicles per hour—commuters, delivery trucks, families heading out for the weekend—and a blockage can quickly snowball into a major headache for all.

National Highways, tasked with keeping the country’s strategic roads moving, worked closely with emergency services to manage the situation. Their real-time traffic maps and social media updates helped drivers make informed decisions, whether to wait out the delays or seek alternative routes. According to their updates, after the fire was cleared and all lanes reopened, the worst of the delays began to ease, and journeys started to flow more smoothly. Still, for a while, drivers on the clockwise carriageway faced up to six miles of congestion and delays of approximately one hour, while those heading anti-clockwise dealt with shorter—but still frustrating—queues.

Local authorities and travel groups also played their part, with Facebook groups like Surrey Traffic and Travel and Kent Traffic and Travel sharing updates, advice, and a bit of commiseration. The incident quickly became a talking point, with many expressing relief that no one was hurt and gratitude for the swift work of the fire crews.

Incidents like this also serve as a reminder for drivers to remain vigilant and prepared for the unexpected. While no injuries were reported in this case, vehicle fires on motorways can be extremely dangerous, not just for those directly involved but for everyone on the road. Emergency services routinely urge motorists to carry basic safety equipment, keep an eye on their vehicles’ condition, and always follow instructions from authorities in the event of an incident.

As the afternoon wore on, normal travel conditions gradually resumed. By the end of the day, the M25 was back to its usual steady hum of traffic—though, no doubt, some drivers were still sharing stories of the day’s dramatic events. For those keeping an eye on the roads, it was another chapter in the ongoing saga of Britain’s busiest motorway, and a potent reminder that on the M25, anything can happen—and often does.

With the incident now firmly in the rear-view mirror, attention turns to the lessons learned and the importance of swift, coordinated responses. The events of January 16, 2026, will stick in the minds of those caught up in the delays, but thanks to the professionalism of the Kent Fire and Rescue Service and the efficiency of National Highways, a potentially dangerous situation was handled with speed and care. For now, the M25 rolls on, a little wiser—and perhaps a little warier—than before.