31 January 2023 , 07:09
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Part of a motorway was shut in both directions overnight after a lorry burst into flames on the M62.
Images from the scene showed huge flames coming from the HGV and thick black smoke billowing.
Fire crews raced to the scene at about 8.44pm with three fire engines and found the lorry fully engulfed in flames.
The fire was put out at about 11pm, but the motorway remained shut for some time.
This morning, commuters travelling on the M62 towards Manchester are set to face diversions following last night's blaze.
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Images from this morning show the shell of a lorry as the tarmac is also said to be damaged.
The M62 towards Manchester was shut after a lorry caught on fire (Widnes Fire Station)Other images shared on social media showed the devastation including how the sides and tyres of the vehicle had been burnt away by the blaze.
All that can be seen left is the lorry's frame and wheels totally exposed alongside the HGV's battered cab.
Other images shared on social media last night showed long queues of traffic as firefighters battled the blaze.
The westbound route heading towards Liverpool reopened this morning, but the eastbound route heading towards Manchester remains closed.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the driver of the lorry was out when they arrived.
It is unclear how the fire started, but there have been no reports of further casualties.
In the early hours of this morning, National Highways said: "Due to the nature of the incident, the road is expected to be closed throughout the night.
"The vehicle is in the process of being recovered which is expected to take several hours.
"Once recovery is complete, the road will be inspected and emergency resurfacing works will take place."
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A traffic Twitter account dedicated to monitoring the traffic on the M62 tweeted that part of the road is not expected to be re-opened until noon.
The account wrote: " #M62 Westbound is CLOSED between J7 and J8 (Burtonwood) due to a vehicle fire - Road not expected to fully re-open before 12:00 due to resurfacing being required."