A car was completely destroyed after it caught fire in one of the middle lanes of the M25 last night before the driver could safely pull over to the hard shoulder.
Credit: Highways England
The engine of the Peugeot 5008 failed between junctions 8 (Reigate) and 9 (Leatherhead) at about 8.15pm.
From today: Car fire causing tailbacks of five miles for commuters on M25
The male driver did not have time to pull over to the hard shoulder before his car burst into flames.
Crews from Leatherhead, Reigate and Painshill fire stations were called and reached the burning car at about 8.30pm.
Credit: Highways England
Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus sprayed down the flaming wreckage and looked after the man and his daughter – the only passenger – before the Highways Agency ensured they were taken safely home.
M25 anti-clockwise between J9 and J8 | Vehicle Fire https://t.co/DlhLxkLIR0
— Highways England (@HighwaysSEAST) 7 March 2016
The fire was extinguished by about 8.45pm, but traffic was held up as far as junction 10 (Guildford) while fire crews cleaned the carriageways of debris.
Fire crews from Leatherhead, Painshill and Reigate are attending a vehicle fire between Junction 9 to 8, #M25
— Surrey Fire & Rescue (@SurreyFRS) 7 March 2016
A spokesman from Leatherhead fire station said: “The man and his daughter were OK, but the car was completely destroyed.
“They got out of the car and then we looked after them in the back of the fire engine and kept them warm.”
Were you caught in the traffic on the M25 last night? Send your pictures to craig.richard@london.newsquest.co.uk
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