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The M62 has been closed in both directions at Rochdale after a crane went up in flames.

All lanes are closed on the westbound side heading towards Manchester and closures were also in place on the eastbound side heading to Huddersfield as the incident is dealt with.

People reported hearing huge explosions at the same time that reports of the motorway fire came in.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue said they have four pumps on the scene.

Motorway reopen

The motorway reopened westbound at about 4am - eight hours after the closure

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Stunning image of fire being put out

(Image: Luke Schofield)
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Westbound remains closed

Highways Agency have just said westbound remains closed

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Video of aftermath of fire

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Close up image of the fire

(Image: Luke Schofield)
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Stuck for more than two hours

Many motorists have been trapped on the M62 for more than two hours

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Traffic still being diverted off at junction 21

Just heard traffic is still being diverted off the motorway

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Hope for motorists

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Pic shows traffic slowly starting to move

Traffic slowly starting to move heading towards Huddersfield
Traffic slowly starting to move heading towards Huddersfield
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Cars moving eastbound too

Just heard from a motorist trapped heading to Huddersfield that cars are now moving slowly eastbound

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Traffic being released on westbound side

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Water handed out

More thanks to the men with the water

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Hear the explosions

This has just come in of some of the explosions and you can see the fire breaking out

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Long delays

Highways Agency have said there are long delays caused by the closures

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Witness heard and felt the bangs

One motorist who has been trapped on the M62 since 8:45pm said they heard and felt the explosions as they were driving.

He said they were really deep booming sounds and they felt the vibrations.

He said they haven’t moved but lots of people have been offering water to motorists to make sure they are ok.

The motorist said he felt they would be delayed for at least another hour.

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Debris landed on eastbound carriageway

The explosion has happened on the westbound carriageway with debris flying across the motorway onto the other side

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Police warning

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Reports of fuel spilling on the motorway

There are reports of lots of fuel spilling on the carriageway and eight explosions being heard

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Blaze from a distance

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Witnesses on the carriageway

Pic shows witnesses out of their car on the carriageway after explosions

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Water being handed out to motorists

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More video of the fire

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Warning to drivers

Fire crews have warned drivers not to turn around on the carriageway unless instructed to do so

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Driver reportedly got out safe

One eyewitness said he spoke to a police officer who said the driver got out.

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Explosions were tyres

The statement says that the explosions were the tyres on the mobile crane

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Fire service statement in full

At 8.36pm on September 24, four fire engines from Heywood, Rochdale and Chadderton were mobilised to a fire involving a mobile crane on the M62 westbound carriageway between J21 Milnrow and J20 Rochdale.

The vehicle was well alight on arrival of crew and the heat had caused the vehicles tyres to explode which could be heard across parts of Rochdale and Oldham.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus are tackling the fire with two hose reels while a specialist hazardous materials officer has been mobilised to the scene as the vehicle has leaked some diesel onto the carriageway.

Colleagues from Greater Manchester Police and the Highways Agency have closed both carriageways causing queues as expected.

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Closures at junction 20

The M62 has been closed at junction 20 at Rochdale - traffic is building in both directions

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Video of fire on M62

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Four pumps at the scene

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said four pumps are at the scene

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Homes rocked by explosion

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