Rush hour coach fire closes section of M25

Significant rush hour delays are expected on the M25 after a coach caught fire.

Emergency services were called to the fire near Leatherhead at about 16:00 BST on Friday, with the bus parked by the side of the road on the anticlockwise carriageway.

Eye witnesses reported seeing plumes of smoke and a "train of people" being led away from the scene.

A Surrey Fire and Rescue spokesperson confirmed everyone has been accounted for but urged motorists to avoid the area.

All lanes of the M25 near Leatherhead heading anti-clockwise from Junction nine to Junction eight are currently blocked, traffic data suggests.

Becky Slack, who saw the blaze, said: "We were coming on the motorway and saw a lot of smoke.

"We realised there was a bus on fire, and another bus parked in front of it. It looked like a train of people."

A fire service spokesperson said four fire engines and a water carrier are currently at the scene.

A Sussex Police spokesperson added that the driver and passengers "all safely disembarked" and are being checked at the scene.

The force added: "Surrey Fire & Rescue are dousing the fire which should be out shortly, but there has been some damage to the road surface and surrounding area.

"The slip road onto the M25 at J9 is currently shut, and traffic is being held.

"We anticipate that there will be significant delays in the area for some time and strongly advise you to avoid the area and find alternative routes where possible."

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