Heathrow Airport passengers facing huge delays after car fire breaks out in tunnel

Passengers travelling from Heathrow Airport are facing massive delays on the road after a fire on the M4.

A car was engulfed in flames inside a tunnel in the early hours of this morning.

Two fire engines were deployed to the scene to extinguish the flames, but the car was entirely destroyed.

This has forced National Highways to close the M4 southbound, between the J4 and J4A.

Traffic is now being diverted via local routes and drivers are being urged to consider using the M25 J14 or the M4 J3 to access Heathrow Airport.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said the car was initiually reported by firefighters to be an electric car, but have since clarified it was a diesel-powered vehicle.

They added: ‘We were called just before 3am to a vehicle fire inside the east ramp.

‘We sent two fire engines to the scene but once the fire was extinguished the car was completely destroyed.

‘The fire was under control by 3.45am. London Ambulance were called to the scene but there are no reports of any injuries. We left the scene at 4.30am.’

Separately, National Rail warned of disruptions between Paddington and Heathrow Terminal 4 expected until 7am due to a fire next to the track.

The network later confirmed trains are now running normally.

Authorities at Heathrow said that due to an earlier vehicle fire, road access to Terminals 2 and 3 is ‘partially restricted’.

A statement added: ‘Passengers are advised to leave more time travelling to the airport and use public transport where possible. We apologise for the disruption caused.’

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