Moment flames engulf lorry full of sawdust on major motorway sparking travel carnage
THIS is the moment flames engulfed a lorry full of sawdust on a major motorway.
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 10.20 this morning.
Photos shared online showed the lorry up in flames and smoke billowing up into the air.
The fire took over the HGV before spreading across the grass verge.
Delays of 60 minutes are expected on the approach to the closure with slow traffic on the diversion route.
Two lanes are also closed westbound due to the drifting smoke westbound.
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Updated photos show the scorched lorry and National Highways explained why it was so difficult to put out the flames.
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 also 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.";
Traffic data experts at INRIX said: "All traffic being temporarily held and stationary traffic due to lorry fire on M62 Eastbound from J22 A672 (Rishworth Moor) to J23 A640 New Hey Road (Huddersfield).
"All traffic was held around 10:25am."
West Yorkshire Fire, Police and National Highways are at the scene.
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
More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online
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