Kent Fire and Rescue Service extinguishes car fire on M25
Crews dealt with a car fire on the M25 this evening with no injuries reported and the incident brought under control.
Another evening. Another car fire on the M25.
Drivers on Britain’s busiest orbital motorway faced delays tonight after a vehicle burst into flames on Kent’s stretch of the carriageway. Kent Fire and Rescue Service scrambled two engines to tackle the blaze – and had it sorted without anyone getting hurt.
The crews didn’t mess about. Breathing apparatus went on, hose reel jets came out, and compressed air foam did the heavy lifting. Standard procedure for what’s become a depressingly routine call-out on this stretch of tarmac.
How Crews Responded
Kent Fire and Rescue confirmed their teams threw everything at the burning motor. The breathing kit kept firefighters safe from the toxic fumes – you don’t want to be sucking in whatever comes off a blazing car. Hose reel jets and compressed air foam made short work of the flames.
Vehicle fires on the M25? Par for the course, really. High traffic volumes mean engines overheat, electrics fail, and someone’s commute gets spectacularly ruined. But emergency services have this dance down to a fine art – get there fast, put it out faster.
Traffic Impact on Kent’s Busiest Routes
Car fires don’t just burn vehicles. They torch traffic flow too.
Evening rush hour is bad enough without flaming Fords adding to the mix. The M25 carries thousands of Kent folk to and from London, Surrey and Essex daily – when it grinds to a halt, half the county feels it. Sevenoaks and Swanley residents know this particular pain well.
Those sections near Sevenoaks and Swanley fall under Kent Fire and Rescue’s patch. Silver lining – local crews can reach incidents quickly, which means roads reopen faster than if we had to wait for engines from further afield.
National Highways and emergency services work hand-in-glove during these incidents. Lanes close, traffic crawls, but everyone gets home safely. That’s the priority.
Key Takeaways
- Two fire engines attended the M25 car fire with no injuries reported
- Crews used breathing apparatus, hose reel jets and compressed air foam to extinguish the blaze
- Kent Fire and Rescue Service covers sections of the M25 near Sevenoaks and Swanley
What This Means for Kent Residents
Kent drivers should brace themselves – vehicle fires will keep causing sudden M25 delays, especially during the evening slog home from London. Check traffic apps before setting off and build in extra time. Saves the blood pressure. If you spot a car fire, pull over safely and dial 999. Don’t play hero – car fires spread fast and involve nasty chemicals that’ll ruin your day.
Source: @kentfirerescue
Published: 19 May 2026