Holidaymakers heading to Heathrow Airport faced chaos this morning after a car exploded on the M4, shutting the motorway.
The vehicle burst into flames inside one of the highway’s tunnels in the early hours of this morning.
Two fire engines were scrambled to the scene to tackle the inferno, which completed engulfed the eco-friendly car.
Emergency services shut the M4 between Junction 4 and Junction 4A, causing mayhem for commuters.
And in a blow for jetsetters travelling to Heathrow, road access to Terminals 2 and 3 was ‘restricted’ following the incident, a spokesman said.
People travelling to Europe’s busiest airport were urged to get public transport to the travel hub, or use the M25 J14 or M4 J3 to avoid the motorway carnage.
London Fire Brigade said crews were scrambled shortly before 3am to the ablaze motor inside the east ramp.
‘We were called just before 3am today to reports of car fire in a tunnel near Heathrow Airport. Firefighters attended and discovered a car fully alight,’ a spokesman told MailOnline.
Holidaymakers heading to Heathrow Airport are facing chaos this morning amid reports a car exploded on the M4, shutting the motorway. File image
Pictured is traffic on the M4 after reports an electric car exploded in a tunnel on the motorway
‘The fire was safely extinguished by firefighters and no one was reported to be injured.
‘The vehicle involved was diesel-powered. The airport has since confirmed the tunnel has reopened.’
London Ambulance were called to the scene but there are no reports of any injuries, the fire service added.
In a post on X, the National Highways warned motorists about the potential disruption.
‘The #M4 southbound spur #Heathrow in #GreaterLondon is closed between the M4 J4 and J4A due to a vehicle fire in the tunnel,’ the organisation wrote on social media.
‘Emergency services are in attendance. Please allow extra time for your journey. Thank you for your patience.’
It’s understood the road has since reopened.
‘An earlier vehicle fire affecting road access to Terminals 2 and 3 has now been resolved,’ a spokesman for London Heathrow added.
‘All roads have now reopened but there continues to be some congestion around the airport.
‘We apologise for the disruption caused this morning.’
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
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