Overview

• The London-bound carriageway was shut between Junction 3 (M26) and Junction 1 (M25) after a lorry caught fire at about 5:45am near Paddock Wood.
• Traffic caught within the closure has been released past the scene in lane 3 as crews work to make the route safe and reopen a lane.
• Delays exceed 45 minutes with roughly four miles of queues, with congestion reported back to Junction 4 and knock-on delays on the A2 near Gravesend.
• Drivers are being directed onto the M26 and M25, and National Highways is advising extra journey time or delaying travel.
• Kent Fire and Rescue Service said the cause is not yet known and confirmed one person was treated for smoke inhalation, while National Highways expects conditions to improve later today.