Forty firefighters have controlled a fire that has closed the M25 Cobham services.

Surrey Comet:

Pic: Olly Bellamy on Twitter

Eight fire crews were called to the service station at about 7.30am today, where the blaze is believed to have taken hold in KFC.

A Surrey Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “The fire at Cobham services is under control and we have no reports of any injuries.

“As well as a number of fire engine we also now have a aerial ladder platform tackling the fire.”

Thick white smoke could be seen billowing across the car park.

Surrey Comet:

Pic: Surrey County Council

The flames have affected two floors of a building measuring 70m by 50m, Surrey County Council said.

A water carrier and a fire command unit were also sent to the blaze.

Andy Begg, watch commander at Walton fire station, said they were called at about 7.55am and thought the fire stemmed from an electrical supply.

The service station and Days Inn hotel were evacuated as “all the smoke poured into the centre and filled the whole place, and then it was leaking through into the accommodation”.

Mr Begg said: “Crews were sent in to investigate and the power was shut off. Because it was quite a windy day, the smoke cleared quite well on its own.

“It was just a question of letting the smoke dissipate.”

He thought half the county’s fire crews had been called to deal with the fire.

He added: “Because it was an electrical fire I would imagine it was just a lot of smoke and very little flames. The smoke was very acrid and thick black.

“You can’t start venting the smoke out until you have found out what is causing the fire.”

An Extra MSA Group spokesman said: "We plan to open the HGV parking area, filling station and forecourt area today at 3pm having confirmed with Surrey Fire and Rescue Service that it is safe to do so. 

"All other parts of the MSA will remain closed until a full site safety investigation has been carried out.

"We regret any inconvenience this causes but we hope that all customers can appreciate Extra’s need to prioritise public safety."

The spokesman added another update will be issued at 5pm today.