M25 closure LIVE: Warehouse fire shuts motorway in both directions amid fears of 'explosions'

M25 fireNational Highways A stretch of the M25 is closed in both directions as firefighters tackle a huge warehouse blaze. Traffic has been halted between J22 (St Albans) and J21A due to the “significant” fire close to the motorway, according to National Highways.It warned: "Due to the risk of secondary explosions, smoke and debris affecting the carriageway, the motorway has been closed in both directions as a precaution."Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We are currently responding to an incident in Ventura Park, Old Parkbury Lane, Colney Street, St Albans."If you live locally, we advise to keep doors and windows closed and please avoid the area while emergency crews carry out their work."Follow the latest updates below...Trains running normally as fire rages onMore footage on social media shows black smoke visible from the nearby railway as the fire rages on. Trains are still expected to be running as usual, while crews have been dispatched to tackle the blaze.Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service responding to fireHertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service are responding to the incident at Ventura Park. In a social media post, the brigade has advised locals to keep their doors and windows closed and to avoid the area while emergency crews carry out their work. Black smoke billows over town from industrial fireFootage on social media shows black smoke billowing over the town and blowing onto the UK’s busiest motorway. Flames can also be spotted tearing through the industrial estate. National Highways warn "risk of secondary explosions"National Highways has warned there could be secondary explosions as a huge fire tears through the industrial estate near St Alban’s. In a statement, it said: “The M25 is closed in both directions between J22 (St Albans) and J21A due to a significant fire at a commercial premises close to the motorway.“Full closures are now in place in both directions. Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service have 15 fire appliances at the scene tackling the blaze.“Due to the risk of secondary explosions, along with smoke and debris affecting the carriageway, the motorway remains closed as a precaution.” M25 fireNational Highways Risk of explosion closes M25 in both directionsThe risk of explosion at a large warehouse has closed both carriages of the M25 between junctions 22 and 21A. Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue was called to the huge blaze in Ventura Park near St Alban’s at 09.21 this morning. National Highways has confirmed the motorway is shut, while 15 crews now work to extinguish the flames and tackle the risk of explosion. Drivers are being advised to “allow significant extra time for their journey and consider alternative routes.”No Southern service between Clapham and Watford Junction until end of the dayA power failure between Clapham Junction and Watford Junction means that some lines running between these stations are closed.Southern trains will either be cancelled or revised to not run between Clapham Junction and Watford Junction.Disruption is expected until the end of the day.Minor delays on the Central and Jubilee lines There are minor delays on the Central line between North Acton and West Ruislip / Ealing Broadway and between Leytonstone and Epping / Hainault via Newbury Park due to train cancellations.Good service on the rest of the line.There are minor delays across the Jubilee line due to train cancellations. How can I get to Heathrow by avoiding the Elizabeth line?If you want to avoid the disruption on the Elizabeth line today, there are a number of ways you can still travel to Heathrow airport. You can use the Piccadilly line to travel to all Heathrow terminals. Many London Overground services also serve Heathrow. You’ll need to make a change at an interchange station such as Stratford, Liverpool Street, Clapham Junction or Shepherd’s Bush. You don’t need to buy separate tickets to do this, you can just tap in and out using the same payment method across both networks. Buses are also another option for travelling to Heathrow. You can travel to Southall on Elizabeth line services and take the 105 London bus, or you can travel to Hayes and Harlington and take the SL9 or 278 London bus.For Terminal 5, you can travel to Hayes and Harlington or West Drayton and take the 350 London bus.And, for Terminals 4 and 5 you can travel to Southall and take the 482 London bus, or you can use the free shuttle service at Heathrow Airport to travel to Terminals 4 and 5.Reduced service on two London Overground lines due to driver shortagesThere will be a reduced service on the Windrush and Mildmay lines today due to a shortage of London Overground train drivers.This will affect services travelling between Stratford and Richmond, and also between Highbury & Islington and West Croydon.Services will be affected until around 3pm today. Major disruption on the Elizabeth line expected until the end of the dayThe Elizabeth line is experiencing severe delays between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow Airport due to a tunnel being closed for safety reasons. So, if you’re travelling to Heathrow today, you might want to seek an alternative route. Major disruption is expected to last until the end of the day, with services being cancelled or delayed by up to 30 minutes. Passengers are being advised to use the Piccadilly line or London Overground services if travelling to Heathrow or central London. The Elizabeth line is experiencing severe delays between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow AirportSupplied