A vehicle fire broke out on the M62 motorway shortly after junction 21 around 10:40 AM, leading to a complete stop of traffic in the affected area. The incident occurred in Milnrow, causing severe delays as emergency services responded to the fire. The traffic monitoring service Inrix reported that all traffic was temporarily held, with stationary vehicles reported on the eastbound carriageway.

As the situation unfolded, Highways England provided updates indicating that one lane of the four-lane motorway was closed. Despite efforts to address the fire and manage traffic flow, delays of approximately 30 minutes began to build up, pushing queues back past junction 20. The ongoing disruption highlights the impact that incidents like vehicle fires can have on major transport routes, with significant effects on commuting times and traffic management.

In response to the vehicle fire, National Highways: North-West has been actively coordinating to ensure traffic can continue moving in the remaining three lanes while addressing the closed lane's fire concerns. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of robust emergency responses on busy roadways, as well as the need for drivers to stay informed about road conditions to mitigate the effects of such unforeseen events.