A serious incident on the M25 today has caused major traffic disruption after a coach caught fire during the afternoon rush hour near Leatherhead, leading to lane closures, long delays, and a significant emergency response.
Emergency services were called to the scene at around 16:00 BST on Friday, after reports that a coach had burst into flames on the anticlockwise carriageway between Junction 9 and Junction 8. The vehicle was reportedly stopped on the side of the motorway when the fire broke out, prompting immediate action from nearby traffic and responders.
Witnesses described seeing thick plumes of smoke rising from the coach as traffic came to a halt. Some motorists reported confusion and concern as passengers were seen being safely evacuated from the vehicle. One eyewitness said they observed what appeared to be a “train of people” being guided away from the burning coach.
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that all passengers and occupants have been accounted for and safely disembarked from the vehicle. Despite the severity of the blaze, no immediate injuries have been reported.
A spokesperson for the fire service stated that four fire engines and a water carrier were deployed to the scene to bring the fire under control and prevent it from spreading further. Firefighters worked to extinguish the flames while ensuring the safety of those nearby and managing risks associated with heavy motorway traffic.
As a result of the incident, all lanes of the M25 anticlockwise between Junction 9 and Junction 8 were closed, causing significant congestion across the surrounding road network. Drivers experienced long delays during peak travel hours, with traffic backing up for several miles as authorities worked to manage the situation.
Motorists were urged to avoid the area where possible and to seek alternative routes while emergency operations continued. Traffic monitoring services warned of ongoing delays as cleanup and safety checks remained in progress.
Investigations into the cause of the coach fire are expected to follow once the scene has been fully secured and cleared. Authorities will assess whether mechanical failure, electrical issues, or other factors contributed to the incident.
For now, officials continue to emphasize caution for all road users in the area as recovery efforts continue and traffic gradually begins to ease.