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.”
Follow our latest updates below
Drivers ‘forced to evacuate on foot’
15:07 , Jacob Phillips
A driver has taken to Facebook to complain about having to evacuate the Blackwall Tunnel.
They explained that they have been forced to evacuate on foot due to the fire in the tunnel.
TfL warns drivers to use alternative route
14:39 , Jacob Phillips
Transport for London has warned drivers to avoid the Blackwall Tunnel following a van fire.
In an update TfL said: “Use an alternative route. Traffic is slow moving on A102 northbound from after Woolwich Flyover approaching the closures.
“In addition traffic is slow moving on the diversion routes, Woolwich Ferry, Rotherhithe Tunnel and Tower Bridge. Expect delays.”
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.