Investigators into last Friday’s fire under the M1 in north London believe it was started deliberately.
The fire at the Apex Metal Recycling yard under an elevated section of the motorway in Mill Hill was so severe that concrete burnt off to expose structural steel. The subsequent road closures between junctions 1 and 4 caused severe congestion on surrounding roads during a busy weekend with extra traffic for two FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley, and the staging of the London Marathon.
After the fire, roads minister Mike Penning, a former firefighter, said people should not underestimate the severity of the blaze.
Transport secretary Philip Hammond has promised a review of the type of industrial activities that are be permitted close to motorways.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “We believe that the fire was started deliberately and the incident has now been handed over to the Metropolitan Police for investigation.”
Following the fire, extensive investigation, assessment and structural reinforcement work took place over the weekend and throughout Monday, according to the Highways Agency. One lane was opened northbound on Saturday evening, with a second northbound lane opened by 1.00pm on Sunday. Two southbound lanes were opened on Monday afternoon.
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