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M56 motorway reopens after propane tanker bursts into flames | M56 motorway reopens after propane tanker bursts into flames |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A gas tanker burst into flames on a busy motorway causing hours of traffic gridlock before the blaze was eventually contained by firefighters. | |
The M56 motorway in Cheshire was closed in both directions between junctions 12 and 15, Runcorn and Ellesmere Port, from 3pm until late on Monday night. The initial 1,600-metre cordon has been reduced. | The M56 motorway in Cheshire was closed in both directions between junctions 12 and 15, Runcorn and Ellesmere Port, from 3pm until late on Monday night. The initial 1,600-metre cordon has been reduced. |
Cheshire police said it had also helped motorists trapped between the incident and road closures to leave the motorway. | Cheshire police said it had also helped motorists trapped between the incident and road closures to leave the motorway. |
The Manchester to Chester railway line has now re-opened, but the Helsby to Hooton line remains shut. Flights to John Lennon Airport are no longer being diverted. | The Manchester to Chester railway line has now re-opened, but the Helsby to Hooton line remains shut. Flights to John Lennon Airport are no longer being diverted. |
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed there had been a risk of explosion but said motorists were evacuated to safety and a cordon put in place, after the fire erupted at just before 3pm on the westbound side of the motorway. | |
The tanker is understood to have pulled over to the hard shoulder as the incident began and there were no reports of anyone being injured. | The tanker is understood to have pulled over to the hard shoulder as the incident began and there were no reports of anyone being injured. |
Previous safety advice issued to residents and motorists has now been lifted. | Previous safety advice issued to residents and motorists has now been lifted. |
Stretches of the motorway blocked by the incident became gridlocked, with traffic backing up on the motorway and roads network as far as Liverpool and Chester. | Stretches of the motorway blocked by the incident became gridlocked, with traffic backing up on the motorway and roads network as far as Liverpool and Chester. |
Motorists caught in the tailbacks are being asked to remain patient as it may take some time for the congestion to clear. | Motorists caught in the tailbacks are being asked to remain patient as it may take some time for the congestion to clear. |
At the height of the incident, photos posted on Twitter showed motorists on the M56 leaving their sweltering cars to sunbathe outside their vehicles, including pictures of motorists kicking a ball around on the opposite side of the carriageway empty of traffic. | At the height of the incident, photos posted on Twitter showed motorists on the M56 leaving their sweltering cars to sunbathe outside their vehicles, including pictures of motorists kicking a ball around on the opposite side of the carriageway empty of traffic. |
Press Association | Press Association |
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