M62 traffic: Chaos on motorway and drivers at standstill after lorry fire

Only one lane remains closed following the vehicle fire, with 60-minute delays on the approach to the incident.

National Highways said: "Lanes 1 and 2 (of 4) remain closed on the #M62 eastbound between J18 #M60 and J19 #Heywood due to a HGV fire. Recovery is complete and clear up works are in attendance. Delays of at least 2 hours on approach."

National Highways has released an image from the scene, capturing the burnt-out shell of the HGV.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: "At around 5:45am this morning (Tuesday, 10th February), firefighters were called to reports of a vehicle fire on the M62 eastbound between junctions 18 and 19.

"Three fire engines from Blackley, Whitefield and Heywood fire stations quickly arrived at the scene, where the cab of a large heavy goods vehicle was well alight. The driver had exited the vehicle safely prior to the arrival of the fire service.

"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reels to tackle the blaze and bring it under control. Further specialist equipment, including a short extension ladder, scene lighting and a thermal imaging camera, was also utilised.

"The fire is now extinguished, though crews remain on scene as they continue to dampen down hotspots and monitor temperatures. Due to the incident, the eastbound carriageway was fully closed by Greater Manchester Police.

"Lanes 3 and 4 have since been reopened, but lanes 1 and 2 remain closed while dampening down continues. The incident will be handed over to on-scene police and the Highways Agency as operations draw to a close."

National Highways said: "A HGV fire was reported to National Highways at approximately 6am this morning resulting in traffic being temporarily held while Manchester Fire and Rescue work to extinguish the fire.

"Traffic has since been released under a lane 1 and 2 closure while recovery currently works on scene. Once the vehicle has been recovered, service providers will attend the scene to assess any potential damage to the carriageway.

"Heavy delays exceeding 2 hours above profiled journey time is building in the area. If this impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey."

Two lanes remain closed while recovery work is underway following the vehicle fire, sparking delays of two hours on the approach to the incident.

According to traffic monitoring service Inrix, there are delays of 50 minutes on the approach to the vehicle fire.

Traffic is backed up to J15 of the M60, according to motorway cameras that have captured the scene.

Traffic has been released along lanes three and four, but one and two remain closed.

Images from motorway camera images from this morning show fire services at the scene dealing with the incident. 

National Highways has just shared its latest update, warning drivers to expect delays of around 45 minutes as rush hour approaches. "Lanes 1 and 2 (of 4) remain closed while emergency services continue to work on scene," the update reads. "Delays of at least 45 minutes on approach."

Traffic is stretching as far back as J17 on the M62, while it is also slow-moving on the M60 as a result of the incident. 

National Highways has warned of 30-minute delays on the approach to the incident between J18 and J19. 

Traffic cameras show vehicles queuing up as traffic is held while emergency services deal with the fire.