London travel news LIVE: Blackwall Tunnel van fire sparks traffic chaos as drivers abandon cars

Drivers have reportedly abandoned their cars in the Blackwall Tunnel after a van caught fire on Wednesday afternoon, causing an evacuation and the northbound lane to close.

Major tailbacks are reported on the A102 from Greenwich to Poplar and the Woolwich Road Flyover after the vehicle set alight in the tunnel around midday.

The van was destroyed in the blaze, which was extinguished at 1.20pm, the London Fire Brigade said, adding that the driver left the vehicle before the brigade arrived.

There were no reports of any injuries.

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 12.18pm on Wednesday 28 August to reports of an incident in Tunnel Approach, SE10.

“We sent a number of resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, an incident response officer and members of our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART).

“We attended the scene to assist our emergency services partners. The patient at the scene declined all treatment and we were stood down.”

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Long delays at the Blackwall Tunnel following van fire

14:29 , Jacob Phillips

There are long delays and one lane remains closed due to the van fire on the Blackwall Tunnel Northbound from Greenwich to Poplar.

Travel data site Inrix says that there is currently congestion to the Woolwich Road Flyover, and both ways on Blackwall Lane to Woolwich Road and Trafalgar Road.

Trapped traffic has begun being released and one of two lanes are closed.

Police are directing traffic.

Full statement from the London Fire Brigade

14:20 , Jacob Phillips

A van has been destroyed in a fire in the Blackwall Tunnel.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Firefighters responded to reports of a van alight in Blackwall Tunnel, Greenwich.

“One van was destroyed by the fire. One man left the vehicle before the Brigade arrived.

“There were no reports of any injuries.

“The Brigade was called at 1214 and the incident was over for firefighters at 1320.

“Crews from Lewisham, Poplar, Millwall and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.”

Patient declined treatment at Blackwall Tunnel

14:19

A patient at the Blackwall Tunnel refused treatment from the London Ambulance Service, a spokesperson told the Standard.

A LAS spokesperson said: “We were called at 12.18pm on Wednesday 28 August to reports of an incident in Tunnel Approach, SE10.

“We sent a number of resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, an incident response officer and members of our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART).

“We attended the scene to assist our emergency services partners. The patient at the scene declined all treatment and we were stood down.”

Blackwall Tunnel evacuated

14:12 , Miriam Burrell

Video footage posted to X, formerly Twitter, appears to show people evacuating the Blackwall Tunnel following the van fire.