M62 crane fire: Tyres explode in Rochdale motorway blaze

Four fire crews tackled the blaze on the M62

A large fire involving a mobile crane closed both carriageways of the M62 in Greater Manchester on Sunday evening.

Four fire crews arrived at the blaze on the westbound carriageway between junction 21 for Milnrow and junction 20 for Rochdale at about 20:30 BST.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said the heat had caused the vehicle's tyres to explode.

The fire had been put out by 01:00, Highways England said.

Earlier, the fire service said a hazardous materials officer had been sent to the motorway because diesel had leaked onto the carriageway.

"Four fire engines from Heywood, Rochdale and Chadderton were mobilised to a fire involving a mobile crane on the M62 westbound carriageway," it added in a statement.

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

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus tackled the fire with two hose reels, the fire service said.

Greater Manchester Police and the Highways Agency initially closed both carriageways.

A spokesperson for the Highways Agency said the fire had caused "long delays".

The eastbound carriageway reopened at about 23:30.

Highways England tweeted that the westbound carriageway had reopened at about 04:00, but said the crane remained on the hard shoulder.