A propane gas tanker has burst into flames on the M56 near Manchester, causing the motorway to be closed in both directions – drivers are urged to avoid the area.
While firefighters tackle the blaze, which started just before 3:00pm, involving a lorry on the westbound side of the road near Stanlow, the road has been completely closed between junctions 12 and 14.
BREAKING NEWS: Propane tanker fire shuts M56 motorway near Manchester http://t.co/b6JX24KOm1 pic.twitter.com/mwjRAcOvdK
— Daily Star (@Daily_Star) August 10, 2015
Propane gas tanker fire shuts M56 motorway near Manchester, with trains, air travel affected http://t.co/OWsBuXZlVC pic.twitter.com/zrTOHuQiVk
— delcrookes (@hairydel) August 10, 2015
Drivers in Cheshire are being urged to avoid the M56 as the motorway is currently closed in both directions between Ellesmere Port and Runcorn due to a lorry fire.
A diversion is in place but drivers are being asked to allow extra time for their journeys and find alternative routes.
“@Steve_Marsh3: M56 fire gas tanker has gone up, don’t think I’ll go any closer pic.twitter.com/leHLhyKgTf”<< yup, it's gone up!
— Andy Collins (@collers_AC) August 10, 2015
Authorities have also set up a cordon and drivers in the area are being evacuated from their vehicles.
Highways England’s traffic officers are supporting the emergency services at the scene and overhead message signs are being used to warn drivers of the closure.
Live updates: M56 closed in both directions after massive fire http://t.co/JyHdgIY5Hz pic.twitter.com/zmejdLQHIk
— Liverpool Echo (@LivEchonews) August 10, 2015
Trains have also been stopped on the lines between Manchester to Chester, and Ellesmere Port to Helsby.
The latest updates on the incident are available at www.trafficengland.co.uk or on Twitter at @HighwaysNWEST.
