Shocking images show the wreckage of a burned-out car after a fire that caused huge Bank Holiday delays on the M62.
Emergency services were called to the incident, close to junction 22 at Rochdale, before 5pm yesterday (May 31).
The blaze - following a collision - sent huge plumes of smoke into the air.
Fire crews from from Slaithwaite and Rastrick stations in West Yorkshire dealt with the fire.
Police and Highways England also attended with paramedics.
No injuries have been reported following the incident.
All eastbound lanes were blocked, and traffic was stopped in both directions for at least an hour.
Police officers were also on hand to divert traffic away from the scene.
On Twitter, North West Motorway Police reported that all lanes were blocked from J22 to J23.
In a tweet, MancTraffic said: "M62 e/b within j22 a crash and vehicle on fire is causing heavy congestion with traffic stopped w/b past the scene.
"Emergency services and Traffic Officers on scene."
Meanwhile, Highways England tweeted: "On the #M62 in both directions, the section of road between the slip roads at #J22 (#Denshaw) is closed due to a collision. @NWAmbulance @YorksAmbulance Traffic Officers @gmptraffic @NWmwaypolice @WYP_RPU & @manchesterfire are currently at the scene."
The incident caused frustration for thousands of motorists making the most of glorious Bank Holiday weather on the hottest day of the year so far.
Tailbacks stretches for miles although the westbound carriageway was reopened at 5.50pm, but it was not until about 8pm that all lanes were reopened.
Trippers who witnessed the drama took to Facebook to post their best wishes to the drivers involved in the accident.
Darren Longmuir wrote: "Hope all involved are safe and well. Why is this stretch of motor way so bad?"
And Lisa Edwards Crosley said: "Hope everyone involved managed to get out and was safe."
