Dartford Crossing Shuts Down After Christmas Tanker Blaze Near QEII Bridge
Christmas Night Horror: Tanker Fire Sparks Explosive Danger
The iconic Dartford Crossing slammed shut overnight on Christmas Day after a tanker caught fire close to the QEII Bridge. Emergency crews raced to the scene amid fears of a possible explosion.
Full Closure Hits M25 and QEII Bridge
National Highways confirmed the closure at 11:21pm on December 25. The southbound QEII Bridge was shut along with the M25 clockwise between Junction 31 (Aveley) and Junction 1A (Dartford). The east tunnel was also closed as a safety precaution, leaving motorists stuck and scrambling for alternatives.
“The southbound QEII Bridge at Dartford Crossing is closed due to a tanker fire nearby. The Port of London has ordered an exclusion zone over explosion fears, covering the QEII Bridge. Emergency services are on scene,” said a National Highways spokesperson.
Emergency Crews Battle Blaze into Boxing Day
Essex Fire and Rescue, Essex Police, and the Port of London Authority teams worked through the night to contain the blaze and protect the area. Their swift response was key in preventing further disaster.
Traffic Chaos and Delays – Back to Normal by Afternoon
Motorists faced major delays as the critical crossing remained closed until 2pm on Boxing Day. The exclusion zone was lifted and the bridge reopened, easing the gridlock and restoring normal traffic flow.
Investigation Launched Into Cause of Fire
Authorities are now probing how the tanker caught fire and assessing damage. The full cause of this Christmas disruption remains unknown.
