The Blackwall Tunnel has reopened after being closed for more than 12 hours, sparking chaos and long queues of traffic. 

Drivers were forced to abandon their cars inside the northbound tunnel after a van caught fire just before 12.15pm yesterday (August 28). 

One video, which was posted on X, shows motorists evacuating and exiting the tunnel. 

One person can be heard saying: "That was so scary. I was running with my baby." 

The fire caused congestion to Woolwich Road Flyover, and both ways on Blackwall Lane to and from Woolwich Road and Trafalgar Road. 

Severe delays were affecting Greenwich and the surrounding area throughout Wednesday night. 

Traffic was diverted from the A102 at Woolwich Road with congestion on diversion routes towards Woolwich Ferry, Rotherhithe Tunnel and Tower Bridge.

The van was destroyed in the blaze, which was extinguished at around 1.20pm.

The driver left the vehicle before the arrival of the London Fire Brigade. 

There were no reports of any injuries.

A  spokesperson for London Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 12.18pm on Wednesday 28 August to reports of an incident in Tunnel Approach, SE10.

“We sent a number of resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, an incident response officer and members of our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART).

“We attended the scene to assist our emergency services partners."