The M25 has been limited to 40mph while emergency services deal with the incident
A 40 miles per hour speed limit has been put in place on the M25 after a major fire at an industrial unit caused severe disruption on the morning of Tuesday, August 11. Warehouses and neighbouring units have been evacuated while emergency services deal with the incident that earlier saw the UK’s busiest motorway close.
Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to a large-scale industrial fire at 9.21am in Ventura Park, Old Parkbury Lane, Colney Street, St Albans. The fire service implemented a road closure of the M25 between J22 and J21A, causing heavy congestion in the area due to a risk of a “secondary explosion” and/or smoke and debris affecting motorists.
The M25 has since been reopened; however, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service have now implemented a 40mph speed limit while emergency services deal with the incident. Ten fire engines were battling the blaze, and the fire service said they had contained the fire in the unit, yet they reiterated their warning for the public to avoid the area until the incident concludes.
No updates have been issued at the time of writing as to when this 40mph restriction will be lifted.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Mark Barber said: “We are currently responding to a fire at a large industrial unit in Ventura Park, Old Parkbury Lane, Colney Street, St Albans.
“Our control room has received a significant number of calls regarding this incident, and I would like to reassure residents that firefighters are working hard to bring the situation under control.
“Our firefighters have been working alongside colleagues from London Fire Brigade to bring the fire under control, and have successfully contained the fire within the unit. Crews are continuing to tackle the fire, but we expect it to be several hours before it is extinguished.
“As a precaution, we are asking people living nearby to keep their doors and windows closed and to avoid the area while emergency services continue to deal with the incident.
“I would like to thank the public for their patience, understanding and cooperation. Please continue to follow our advice and avoid the area to allow emergency crews to work safely and effectively.”
