Imagine being stuck in traffic, only to find out that a massive fire has shut down two major tunnels in London. That's exactly what happened tonight in Greenwich, leaving drivers frustrated and emergency crews scrambling. The northbound lanes of both the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels have been closed due to thick smoke billowing from a nearby industrial fire on Tunnel Avenue. But here's where it gets even more chaotic: this isn't just any ordinary evening—tonight, thousands of music fans are pouring out of the O2 stadium after a Benson Boone concert, and their journeys home are now in disarray.
Around 70 firefighters are battling the blaze, which the London Fire Brigade has warned could be a lengthy operation. The tunnels were shut down around 20:00 GMT because the smoke has made it nearly impossible for drivers to see. And this is the part most people miss: while northbound drivers are being urged to find alternative routes and brace for longer travel times, even southbound drivers using the Blackwall Tunnel might face disruptions. It’s a tangled mess of delays and detours, and no one knows when the tunnels will reopen.
The fire broke out around 18:15, but its cause remains a mystery. Is this just an unfortunate accident, or could it have been prevented? Let’s spark a conversation—what do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below. For now, if you’re planning to travel in the area, stay updated and consider rerouting. And if you’re curious about more stories like this, tune into BBC Radio London on Sounds or follow BBC London on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Got a story idea? Send it to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk—we’d love to hear from you!
