‘Severe delays’ as horror fire rips through lorry blocking major motorway

Motorists are facing major delays following a vehicle fire on a busy motorway [1] causing long tailbacks. The westbound carriageway of the M62 is blocked near Huddersfield following the vehicle fire. The incident was reported at 6.55am on Monday morning and fire crews are on the scene, which is close to the house in the middle of the M62.

The motorway is blocked for cars heading towards Manchester [2] from the Huddersfield and Leeds direction. Traffic was stacked back two junctions past Brighouse, according to traffic scanners. Follow our live blog on the motorway chaos here:

15:44KEY EVENT

Motorway set to reopen shortly

National Highways has confirmed that the M62 is set to reopen shortly.

A spokesperson said: "Recovery and debris clearance is complete on the M62 westbound near Huddersfield between J24 & J22. "The road remains closed but plans are currently being made to re-open the road with units en route to do so. Delays of 45 minutes on approach to the closure."

15:25KEY EVENT

Latest update from National Highways

The latest update from National Highways says: "The M62 in West Yorkshire is closed westbound near Huddersfield, between J24 and J22, due to a lorry fire.

"Emergency services including West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue attended. National Highways Traffic Officers are also on scene to assist with traffic management. "Removal of the lorry's load (foodstuffs) and clearance of debris following the fire is taking place.

"Please note that there are currently 60 minute delays on the approach to J24, with 6 miles of congestion, almost back to J26 (Bradford South)."

14:57Tim Hanlon

Everything we know so far on the fire as the motorway is still closed

Motorists still face traffic chaos on the M62 after a lorry fire shortly before 7am this morning closed the western carriageway towards Manchester. This is the information so far on the incident:

The M62 is still shut due to a lorry fire
The fire was reported at 6.55am today (June 30)
Fire crews and other emergency services are on the scene.
The road is still blocked for cars heading towards Manchester from the Huddersfield and Leeds direction.
Traffic is stacked back two junctions past Brighouse, according to traffic scanners
National Highways have warned of delays up to 60 minutes
A diversion is in place - Diversion - Via the solid square symbol on the A629 to Halifax, the A58 through Sowerby Bridge then the A672 to re-join at J22.

14:28Tim Hanlon

Queues now through Ripponden due to motorway closure

Motorists diverted from the M62 are facing major congestion on nearby roads with queues in Rippondon. INRIX update: "M62 Westbound closed, severe delays due to vehicle fire from J24 A629 (Ainley Top) to J22 A672 (Rishworth Moor).

Congestion to J25 (Brighouse). Also queuing through Ripponden. "The road was closed around 06:55am.

Diversion - Via the solid square symbol on the A629 to Halifax, the A58 through Sowerby Bridge then the A672 to re-join at J22."

13:42Tim Hanlon

Diversion plan by National Highways for M62 closure

National Highways has a diversion plan for motorists facing the M62 motorway closure. The westbound carriageway of the motorway is currently still closed after a lorry fire. The National Highways diversion reads: "From J24 - follow the solid square symbol, via the A629 north, the A646 and A58 west, through Sowerby Bridge and then the A672 south from Ripponden, to return to to J22."

The statement from the agency adds: "If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey."

12:59Tim Hanlon

Motorway still closed due to 'protracted' removal of lorry's load

In an update the National Highways has said that the motorway remains closed and the removal of a burnt out lorry has taken longer than expected. It was previously expected that the motorway would be back open by 1pm.

The agency wrote on X: "*Reminder #M62 westbound J24-J22 nr #Huddersfield remains closed due to a lorry fire Recovery of the vehicle's load (foodstuffs) is ongoing/protracted 60 min delays on approach, 5 miles of congestion, almost back to J26 #Bradford South."

12:26Tim Hanlon

Burnt out lorry pictured on motorway

An image shows what is left of a lorry which is burnt out after a ferocious fire this morning. Flames were seen engulfing the cab and the fire spread to the trailer as the large HGV transformed into a fireball along the hard shoulder of the M62 on Monday morning. The lorry fire started at 6.55am on Monday morning at Junction 22 Rishworth Moor, and despite initially traffic passing around the vehicle, the motorway has since been shut from Junction 24 from Ainley Top.

The burnt out remains of the lorry12:18Tim Hanlon

Man tells how wife is still stuck after four hours on M62 'with traffic not released'

A man has claimed his wife is still stuck in a queue on the M62 after four hours following a lorry fire.

Congestion is expected until 1pm today and while National Highways has said all traffic stuck due to the closure has been released, a person has responded on X saying that his wife is still waiting between J25 and J24. He wrote: "What is being done to release the westbound traffic between J25 and J24? My wife has been stuck there for 4 hours!"

National Highways replied to him: "All traffic caught within the closure J24-J22 has been released. Traffic on the westbound approach to J24 is using the diversion route." But he responded: "No, traffic on the westbound approach to J24 has been there for 4 hours and is still stuck!

The diversions are not available to those people."

What is being done to release the westbound traffic between J25 and J24? My wife has been stuck there for 4 hours!

-- bombhead1977 (@bombhead1977) June 30, 2025 [3] 11:16Tim Hanlon

Motorists facing three mile tailbacks after lorry fire

Drivers are continuing to face traffic chaos heading to Manchester on the M62 this morning with three miles of congestion causing an hour-long delays. National Highways wrote on X: "M62 westbound J24-J23 nr Huddersfield remains closed due to a lorry fire Recovery of the vehicle's load (foodstuffs) is ongoing/protracted All traffic caught within the closure has been released 60 min delays on approach, 3 miles of congestion, almost back to J26."

10:42Tim Hanlon

Diversion in place as Inrix gives update on crash

An update from Inrix on the M62 crash reads: "M62 Westbound closed, severe delays due to vehicle fire from J24 A629 (Ainley Top) to J22 A672 (Rishworth Moor).

Congestion to J25 (Brighouse). Also queueing on the opposite side due to on-lookers. "The road was closed around 06:55am.

Diversion - Via the solid square symbol on the A629 to Halifax, the A58 through Sowerby Bridge then the A672 to re-join at J22."

09:56Tim Hanlon

Traffic chaos on M62 expected until 1pm today

Traffic England has said that motorists can expect delays on the M62 until 1pm after a lorry fire. Emergency services remain on the scene with the westbound of the motorway closed. Location The M62 westbound entry slip at junction J23

Reason Vehicle fire Status Currently Active Time To Clear The event is expected to clear between 12:45 and 13:00 on 30 June 2025

Return To Normal Normal traffic conditions are expected between 12:45 and 13:00 on 30 June 2025

09:39Tim Hanlon

National Highways update on M62 lorry fire

National Highways says that the westbound carriageway of the M62 remains closed after a lorry fire and vehicles trapped within the closure are passing the incident in lane three of the motorway. It states on X: "Reminder. #M62 westbound J24-J23 near #Huddersfield remains closed due to a lorry fire Traffic caught within the closure is now passing the scene in lane 3 60 min delays on the approach, 6 miles of congestion, back past J26 #Bradford south."

09:24Tim Hanlon

Three fire crews with breathing apparatus at scene after blaze rips through lorry

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said that there are three crews who are tackling the fire on the M62. A statement reads: "We were called at 06.35 to the M62 junction 22/23 Westbound to reports of a large vehicle on fire.

"We have three crews at the scene who have extinguished a large goods vehicle using hose reels and breathing apparatus. "They're currently damping down, no reports of any injuries."

09:13Tim Hanlon

Slow moving traffic eastbound 'due to onlookers'

The AA is reporting that there are "severe delays" on the M62 westbound as well as slow moving traffic on the other carriageway due to people looking at the fire. It states: "Road closed and severe delays due to vehicle fire on M62 Westbound from J24 A629 (Ainley Top) to J22 A672 (Rishworth Moor).

Congestion to J25 (Brighouse). Also slowing on the opposite side due to on-lookers."

09:00Tim Hanlon

Diversion plan issued by National Highways after M62 closure

National Highways issues diversion plan for motorists facing M62 motorway closure. The westbound carriageway of the motorway is currently closed after a lorry fire.

The National Highways diversion reads: "From J24 - follow the solid square symbol, via the A629 north, the A646 and A58 west, through Sowerby Bridge and then the A672 south from Ripponden, to return to to J22." The statement from the agency adds: "If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey."

08:54Tim Hanlon

National Highways statement on M62 fire with six-mile tailbacks

Drivers currently are facing an hour-long delay on the M62 this morning with six miles of congestion.

A statement from National Highways reads: "The M62 in West Yorkshire is closed westbound near Huddersfield, between J24 and J22, due to a lorry fire. "Emergency services including West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue are in attendance. National Highways Traffic Officers are also on scene to assist with traffic management.

"Please note that there are currently 60 minute delays on the approach to J24, with 6 miles of congestion, almost back to J26 (Bradford South)."

08:50Tim Hanlon

Lorry turns into fireball as flames engulf large HGV

Flames were seen engulfing the cab and the fire spread to the trailer as the large HGV transformed into a fireball along the hard shoulder of the M62 on Monday morning. The lorry fire started at 6.55am on Monday morning at Junction 22 Rishworth Moor, and despite initially traffic passing around the vehicle, the motorway has since been shut from Junction 24 from Ainley Top. The M62 is blocked for cars heading towards Manchester from Huddersfield and Leeds directions.

National Highways has released a diversion plan to help motorists get around the blocked road closure.

08:44Tim Hanlon

Traffic is being turned around on motorway after closure

Traffic heading towards Manchester on the M62 is being turned around on the motorway which is closed due to a lorry fire. National Highways has said that there are tailbacks for six miles and delays of an hour. It states: "#M62 westbound J24 - J23 near #Huddersfield remains closed due to a lorry fire.

Traffic caught within the closure is being turned around.

60 min delays on the approach - 6 miles of congestion, back past J26 #Bradford south."

Thick smoke from the fire (Yorkshire Live/M62 traffic and travel)08:36Tim Hanlon

Thick plumes of smoke from lorry fire

The road is blocked for cars heading towards Manchester from the Huddersfield and Leeds direction due to a lorry on fire on the M62. Traffic is stacked back two junctions past Brighouse, according to traffic scanners, with thick plumes of smoke filling the sky.

08:35Tim Hanlon

M62 westbound is closed due to a vehicle fire

INRIX says: "M62 Westbound closed, severe delays due to vehicle fire from J24 A629 (Ainley Top) to J22 A672 (Rishworth Moor). Congestion to J25 (Brighouse).

Also slowing on the opposite side due to on-lookers.

The road was closed around 06:55am.

Diversion - Via the solid square symbol on the A629 to Halifax, the A58 through Sowerby Bridge then the A672 to re-join at J22."

References

^ motorway (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ Manchester (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ June 30, 2025 (twitter.com)