Motorists are being advised to find alternative routes after a fire closed the M1 in both directions near west London.
A huge blaze at a builders merchant closed down a stretch of the motorway, northbound between J1 and J2 and southbound between J4 and J1.
Around 80 firefighters and officers were sent to the scene on Brent Park Road from 3.45pm today (April 12).
Two train lines were also affected; Thameslink and East Midlands.
Highways England described the closure was due to "an off network fire".
Road users were advised to allow extra time for their journeys and commuters to consider alternative routes.
People living and working in the area were instructed by the fire service to keep windows and doors locked.
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Key Events
Update
Here is the latest on the fire:
http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/brent-cross-fire-crews-still-12887826
More crews are due to head down to the scene this morning.
Time to close the blog
An earlier fire today at a builders merchant in Brent Cross caused major disruption on the M1 and on rail services.
While the stretch of motorway between J1 and J4 has now re-opened there are still delays to train services on Thameslink and East Midlands routes.
Around 80 firefighters were called to the scene earlier today and after almost five hours the fire is now under control.
However fire crews remain at the scene damping down.
Here is our story on today’s fire http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/m1-closure-huge-inferno-causes-12887194
Thank you for joining us today.
Damping down
LFB tweeted that the fire is under control and crews will be damping down for some time.
National Rail
National Rail has advised passengers using Thameslink services of delayed and cancelled services.
Story so far
Four hours ago the London Fire Brigade were called to a huge blaze at a builders’ merchant in the Brent Cross area.
Disruptions continue on the M1 and on the rail network.
Find our full story on the fire here http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/m1-closure-huge-inferno-causes-12887194
Video footage
Here is some video footage taken by Hitoshi Yoshioka.
Thick black plumes of smoke can be seen billowing across the M1.
M1 southbound still shut
The fire is still affecting drivers hoping to travel on the M1 southbound between J4 and J1 which remains shut.
M1 Northbound re-opens
The M1 northbound between J1 (Staples Corner) and J2 has re-opened.
All lanes have now re-opened but motorists are warned there is very slow traffic in the area due to the fire which broke out earlier in the afternoon.
Train disruptions
Disruptions to services on the Thameslink and East Midlands lines are expected to continue until the end of services tonight.
People normally travelling on these routes can use other trains, trams and bus services to reach their destination.
National Rail has displayed the following alterations are applicable:
- Trains will be cancelled or delayed by up to 60 minutes.
- East Midlands Trains services between Sheffield and London St Pancras International will not run between Luton and London St Pancras International. These services depart London at 26 minutes past the hour and depart Sheffield at 49 minutes past the hour.
- East Midlands Trains stopper services between Nottingham and London St Pancras International will not run between Luton and London St Pancras International. These services depart London at 29 minutes past the hour and depart Nottingham at 5 minutes past the hour.
- Thameslink will provide a service south of London Blackfriars and also between St Albans and Bedford.
- Thameslink will run replacement buses from Hitchin, Hatfield, St Albans City, and Bedford. These may also be disrupted due to the M1 being heavily congested.
Train services affected
The train line between Hendon and Cricklewood is closed.
East Midlands and Thameslink train services affec
LFB statement
Station manager Claiton Murray who is currently at the scene said:
"This is a large, challenging fire and crews are working extremely hard to bring it under control as quick as possible.
"Around half of the workshop is alight.
"The fire is producing a considerable amount of smoke so we are advising people living and working in the area to keep their windows and door
Builder' merchant up in flames
At least half of the builders' merchant is currently up in flames.
Two aerial appliances are in use to help tackle the fire from above.
Firefighters at the scene
The London Fire Brigde has reported there are 80 firefighters and 12 fire engines at the scene of the blaze at a builders yard.
Keep windows and doors closed
The London Fire Brigade has advised people to keep their windows and doors closed while they deal with a huge fire near Brent Cross.
M1 closed
M1 closed northbound J1 and J2 and southbound between J4 and J1 due to smoke blowing across the road and building fire
