'Substantial' lorry fire causes motorway closure

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg02wp12w4o

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The fire broke out on Friday morning on the M62 motorway

A lorry carrying sawdust has caught fire on the M62 motorway in West Yorkshire.

National Highways said the eastbound carriageway was closed between junction 22 for Saddleworth and junction 24 for Huddersfield.

The fire, which spread to the embankment, was described as "substantial" by a National Highways spokesperson.

They confirmed the driver had got out of the lorry safely.

The incident has caused four-mile queues on the M62

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said it had three fire crews at the scene, with drivers advised to find alternative routes.

Two lanes of the westbound carriageway have also been closed due to drifting smoke.

Posting on X, external, National Highways said the closure would be extended back to junction 20, to reduce delays between junction 20 and junction 22.

They added extra officers had been deployed to turn traffic around as the fire service were "not happy" to allow traffic to travel past the scene.

Long queues have formed on the M62 as a result of the blaze

The queue of traffic is currently four miles long, according to the agency.

National Highways said ten traffic officer patrols had been assigned to the incident and it would take "some time" to resolve.

Delays of 60 minutes have been reported.

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