TRUCK BLAZE
Moment flames engulf lorry full of sawdust on major motorway sparking travel carnage
Watch the terrifying moment caught by a passing motorist in the video player
THIS is the moment flames engulfed a lorry full of sawdust sending plumes of smoke into the sky.
The blaze sparked travel carnage for thousands of drivers as the M62 was closed eastbound between junction 22 for Saddleworth and junction 24 for Huddersfield and Halifax from 10.20am this morning.
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Photographs shared online reveal a blazing inferno as flames shot into the air - made worse by the lorry being packed with sawdust.
The blaze quickly took over the HGV before spreading across the grass verge.
Delays of at least an hour are expected on the approach to the closure with slow traffic on the diversion route.
Two lanes are also closed westbound due to drifting smoke.
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A National Highways spokesman said: "Due to the nature of the load on the lorry (sawdust) the fire is proving difficult to fully extinguish as it keeps re-igniting.
"There is substantial drifting smoke from the lorry fire which is affecting both carriageways.
"It is therefore not safe to allow traffic on the eastbound carriageway to run past the scene."
West Yorkshire Fire, police and National Highways are on the scene.
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Diversion route in full
Road users travelling east bound are advised to follow the hollow circle diversion symbol on road signs:
- Exit at J22 and at the end of the slip road turn left on to the A672
- Follow the A672 to the junction with the A58
- Continue forward on to the A58
- Follow the A58 through Sowerby Bridge and towards Halifax
- At the junction with the A646 turn right
- Follow the A646 to the junction with the A629
- Turn right on to the A629 and continue to Ainley Top and J24 of the M62
- Take the second exit from the J24 roundabout to re-join the M62 eastbound
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