Rotherhithe tunnel closed after being filled with smoke from a broken down transit van

The Rotherhithe tunnel was closed this afternoon after it was filled with smoke from a broken down transit van.

Smoke was seen billowing out of the vehicle after it experienced a mechanical failure in east London shortly before 4pm.

Fire crews were called to the scene at 3.51pm, a London Fire Brigade (LFB) spokesman said.

The van was on the northern approach and about 400 metres inside the tunnel, he said.

"We are investigating reports of smoke," he added.

Ronnie Oswald, who took these pictures from inside the tunnel, said he had managed to navigate his way through the smoke by following the car in front.

The road tunnel, which connects Tower Hamlets with Southwark under the River Thames, was blocked in both directions.

Motorists were being advised to seek alternative routes across the river, but as of 4.40pm the tunnel was re-opened, Transport for London said.