M62 remains closed after lorry full of sawdust catches fire

A lorry full of sawdust caught fire on the M62, closing the motorway and causing huge tailbacks of traffic
-Credit: (Image: West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service)


A section of the M62 remains closed this afternoon after a lorry caught fire. The vehicle caught light this morning eastbound between junction 22 for Saddleworth and junction 23 for Huddersfield.

National Highways shared images of the lorry on fire, with smoke pictured billowing up into the air. The lorry was transporting sawdust at the time of the blaze and the fire is also said to have spread to the motorway embankment.

At this time the motorway remains shut, but fire crews confirmed the blaze is out while traffic remains heavily congested on both sides of the carriageway. National Highways said the closure was being extended back to J20 to allow a a better diversion route and to reduce the delays between J20 and J22.

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Pictures taken by fire crews at the scene show the burnt out shell of the vehicle, with its load partially pulled out into the carriageway. National Highways confirmed the lorry's driver escaped the vehicle unharmed.

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