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M62 closed in both directions after huge fire breaks out

There are tailbacks of up to five miles on both sides of the M62 after a huge fire broke out this afternoon.

The Manc The Manc - 10th August 2020
Highways England

There are tailbacks of up to five miles on both sides of the M62 after a huge fire broke out this afternoon.

The fire appears to be the result of a broken down HGV between junction 21 for Milnrow and junction 22 for Rishworth Moor.

Motorists are being advised to come off J22 if travelling westbound, or J21 if travelling eastbound, and follow the diversions.

Highways England tweeted: “#M62 westbound J22 #Denshaw #Ripponden #Saddleworth #A672 to J21 #Milnrow #Shaw #A640 We are currently in the process of closing the carrigeway to assist @HighwaysNWEST with an ongoing vehicle fire.”

Traffic service Inrix is now reporting that there are also delays on Woodhead Pass, as traffic seeks alternative routes across the Pennines.

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StephyC on Twitter wrote: “So far we’ve seen about 8 fire engines, 2 unmarked police, and a number of traffic police cars go past. No sign of the smoke stopping yet.”

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.