Blackwall Tunnel reopens after van ‘destroyed’ in blaze causes traffic chaos

The Blackwall Tunnel reopened in the early hours this morning after it was closed for more than 12 hours due to a van that caught fire.

The incident, which occurred yesterday afternoon, sparked traffic chaos and hours-long queues of traffic.

Transport for London (TfL) was still working to repair the tunnel’s surface late last night.

Motorists were forced to abandon their cars inside the north-bound tunnel after the van caught fire around midday, causing the Thames crossing to be evacuated.

A TfL spokesman said: “The Blackwall tunnel was closed earlier after a van fire. Thankfully everyone in the tunnel was evacuated safely and there were no injuries. 

“Work is underway so that the tunnel can reopen, which we expect to happen in the early hours of the morning.

“Drivers are advised to use alternative river crossings while the route via Blackwall is closed and check before they travel.”

Severe delays affected Greenwich and the surrounding area throughout yesterday afternoon and the night.

TfL said traffic was diverted from A102 at Woolwich Road with congestion on diversion routes towards Woolwich Ferry, Rotherhithe Tunnel and Tower Bridge.

The van was destroyed in the blaze, which was extinguished at around 1.20pm, the London fire brigade (LFB) said.

The driver left the vehicle before firefighters arrived and there were no reports of any injuries.

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

“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.”

(Picture: TfL)