A LORRY blaze shut the M62 early today.

The inferno sparked commuter chaos as the fire took hold on the articulated lorry.

Its load was bleach and aerosols – and they were air fresheners which exploded in the searing heat.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "The cans were being blown across the carriageway so we had to shut the motorway for safety reasons.

"The westbound carriageway was totally blocked while firefighters dealt with the blaze and had to shuttle water to it."

Examiner reporter Barry Gibson was stuck on the westbound carriageway.

He said: "We came to a halt near Hartshead Moor Service Station and then moved around 20 yards in an hour.

"Some drivers have been using the hard shoulder to get off the motorway at Brighouse."

The lorry caught fire on the westbound carriageway near to junction 24 at Ainley Top at 7.20am.

Two lanes of the eastbound carriageway were closed during the drama and were reopened shortly before 9am.

The driver was unhurt.