AN acid tanker caught fire on the M62, causing massive delays.
Firefighters and police were called to the lorry after a fire started in the cab.
The incident happened at about 11.10am yesterday and the motorway remained closed in both directions for several hours as smoke poured out.
Thousands of drivers were delayed on one of the busiest sections of the motorway.
The lorry, which was loaded with acrylic acid, was between Junction 28 and 27 of the westbound carriageway, next to Ikea at Birstall.
The driver had managed to get the vehicle on to the hard shoulder after noticing smoke coming from his cab.
Nine fire appliances from all over the district went to the scene. More than 30 firefighters used hoses to keep the tanker cool, as well as tackling the blaze in the cab.
The fire was out within about 40 minutes, but the vehicle wasn't recovered until 4pm, when the motorway was fully re-opened.
* Part of the M62 was closed near the Yorkshire/Lancashire border this morning.
Two lanes on the eastbound carriageway were closed after two lorries collided between the junctions at Milnrow and Windy Hill. Both drivers were unhurt, but their vehicles were badly damaged.
Police said there were also problems on the westbound carriageway, with congestion caused by drivers slowing to look at the wreckage.
* A motorcyclist was seriously injured in an accident in Liversedge.
The rider, aged 25, was on a Suzuki which was in an incident which also included a Peugeot and a Kia car. He is being treated at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary
The crash happened close to the junction between Church Lane and School Lane yesterday evening.
Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident.
