As per reports, a large warehouse fire at Ventura Park, Old Parkbury Lane, Colney Street, in St Albans, Hertfordshire, prompted the closure of both carriageways of the M25 between Junctions 22 and 21A due to the risk of an explosion on Tuesday (11 August).

• Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue was called to the fire at 0921 hours local time (0821 hours UTC) on Tuesday (11 August). National Highways reported that 15 fire crews were at the scene and that the motorway was closed because of the risk of a secondary explosion, while smoke and debris posed additional hazards to motorists on the carriageway.
• The M25 was closed for approximately one hour and began reopening at around 1215 hours local time (1115 hours UTC), with a 40mph speed restriction imposed. National Highways confirmed that traffic officers were removing the closure and reopening the carriageway in both directions, although delays were expected to persist while congestion cleared.
• Hertfordshire Police confirmed that the M25 closure was necessary because of smoke from the warehouse fire. Additional road closures were implemented in Colney Street and Old Parkbury Lane in St Albans. As the warehouse was located close to a railway line, Network Rail had a representative on site liaising with the fire service.