A MOTORWAY has been closed after a lorry erupted into flames and the fire spread to an embankment.

National Highways said at 10.26am on X that a HGV, which was carrying sawdust, was alight on the eastbound carriageway of the M62, between junction 22 (Saddleworth) and junction 23 (Huddersfield).

Vehicles on the carriageway were stopped, according to a spokesperson for National Highways.

A lorry fire on the eastbound carriageway of the M62A lorry fire on the eastbound carriageway of the M62 (Image: National Highways) They added that West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service and West Yorkshire Police's Roads Policing Unit were on their way.

WYFRS said it sent crews from Rochdale, Illingworth, and Slaithwaite to the blaze.

The lorry fire on the M62 eastbound carriageway has spread to an embankmentThe lorry fire on the M62 eastbound carriageway has spread to an embankment (Image: National Highways) National Highways first extended the closure on the eastbound carriageway to between junction 22 and junction 24 (Ainley Top) as the fire had spread to a nearside embankment.

It has since been moved even further back to junction 20 to allow a better diversion route and to reduce the delays between junction 20 and junction 22.

National Highways also released pictures of the burnt-out carcass of the lorry at 13.38pm on X.

A burnt out lorry on the eastbound carriageway of the M62A burnt out lorry on the eastbound carriageway of the M62 (Image: National Highways) There are also long delays on the westbound carriageway due to lanes two and three (of three) being closed for the fire, as well as congestion on routes through Rishworth as traffic diverts.

A spokesperson for National Highways said at 11.40am: "If you're in the closure thanks for your patience.

"Extra officers are en-route to turn traffic around as the fire service aren't happy to allow traffic to run past scene."

The major road operator's traffic flow website shows the average speed is down to seven miles per hour at junction 20 on the eastbound carriageway and zero miles per hour at junctions 21, 22, 23, and 24.

On the other side of the carriageway, the average speed as at 11mph at junction 23, three miles per hour at junction 24 and four miles per hour at junction 25.

The Telegraph & Argus has contacted West Yorkshire Police for comment.