Heathrow fire closes M4 lanes near Colnbrook causing delays for commuters
Fire crews attended a blaze near the airport on 12 September, shutting eastbound lanes for two hours
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Two eastbound lanes of the M4 near Colnbrook were closed for two hours on 12 September after a fire broke out close to Heathrow Airport. The incident, reported shortly after 14:30, caused significant traffic delays for commuters travelling towards London.
National Highways confirmed the closure of lanes one and two near junction 15, which connects the M4 to the M25. Drivers were advised to avoid the area, with queues forming quickly after the lanes shut. By 16:30, all lanes had reopened following the intervention of fire crews.
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Fire service response
Buckinghamshire and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service dispatched crews to the scene. A spokesperson for the service told *This Is Local London* that firefighters arrived to find a vehicle fire near the motorway. The blaze was extinguished, and no injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire has not been determined. National Highways said it was working with emergency services to investigate the incident. Drivers were urged to check traffic updates before travelling, as residual delays persisted after the lanes reopened.
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Impact on local roads
Traffic congestion spread to surrounding roads, including the A4 and A3044, as drivers sought alternative routes. Local residents in Colnbrook reported increased noise and pollution from idling vehicles. Slough Borough Council said it was monitoring the situation but had not received any complaints about diverted traffic affecting residential areas.
A driver who passed the scene told *This Is Local London* that delays extended as far back as junction 14, near Maidenhead. "It took nearly an hour to get through what is normally a ten-minute stretch," they said. National Highways did not provide an estimate of the total number of vehicles affected.
What happens next
National Highways will review CCTV footage and incident reports to determine the cause of the fire. No further road closures are expected, but drivers are advised to remain cautious when travelling through the area. Buckinghamshire and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service said it would not comment further until its investigation is complete.
Questions this report answers
+How long were the M4 lanes closed for?
The two eastbound lanes of the M4 near Colnbrook were closed for two hours on 12 September. They reopened at 16:30 after fire crews extinguished the blaze, but delays persisted for some time afterwards.
+What caused the fire near Heathrow Airport?
The cause of the fire remains unclear. National Highways and Buckinghamshire and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service are investigating the incident, but no details have been released so far.
+Were any injuries reported?
No injuries were reported as a result of the fire. Fire crews attended the scene and confirmed that the blaze was extinguished without any casualties.
+What should drivers do if there are further incidents?
Drivers are advised to check traffic updates from National Highways before travelling. If lanes are closed, alternative routes such as the A4 or A3044 may experience increased congestion.
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