Car bursts into flames by Kew Bridge

Image: A car on fire closed roads by Kew Bridge on Thursday; Photograph by Ru Simonian

No injures reported as Met Police take over scene

A car burst into flames on Thursday morning (28 November) by Kew Bridge, worsening already heavy congestion across Chiswick & Brentford.

The vehicle was on the southbound carriageway near the bridge, and the road was closed for some time during the day while the surface was inspected.

The A205 South Circular (Chiswick High Road) was closed southbound between Chiswick Roundabout and Kew Bridge.

The northbound carriageway over the bridge reopened, but long queues extended beyond Kew Retail Park.

The incident coincided with the closure of Chiswick High Road eastbound at Chiswick Roundabout due to utility works carried out by Thames Water. These works are scheduled to be completed by 6pm on Friday (29 November).

There were long delays on the A4/M4 eastbound and Brentford High Street. Queues on the southbound North Circular Road stretched from Chiswick Roundabout to Gunnersbury Lane.

Delays to westbound traffic on Chiswick High Road and Turnham Green Terrace were also reported.

Eastbound buses on routes 110, 237, 267, H91, and night bus N9 were diverted between Chiswick Roundabout and Turnham Green Church via the A4 and Sutton Court Road, missing three bus stops on Chiswick High Road, including Gunnersbury Station.

Westbound buses and route 440 operated as normal.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said:

“We received around 30 calls at 0747 this morning about a vehicle fire on Kew Bridge Road, TW8. A fire engine from Acton Fire Station was sent to the scene and firefighters discovered a car fully alight. The road was closed in both directions whilst firefighters worked to extinguish the fire, which destroyed the car. There were no reports of any injuries and the incident was left in the care of the Metropolitan Police.”