SHOCKING footage shows the moment a lorry exploded in a huge fireball on the M62 sparking traffic chaos for thousands.
The blaze broke out around 11.40am on Wednesday, sending thick plumes of black smoke billowing into the air, visible for miles.
Thick black smoke billowed into the air after a fire on the M62
A firefighter is seen battling the horror blaze
It saw thousands of motorists hit with delays
Emergency services rushed to the scene between junctions 23 (New Hey Road, Huddersfield) and 24 (Ainley Top), where the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames.
The fire forced a complete shutdown of the eastbound carriageway and causing chaos for drivers.
As the flames roared, firefighters scrambled to get the situation under control, spraying water in a desperate bid to douse the inferno.
But the motorway was left at a standstill for hours as thousands of vehicles queued for miles.
Disgruntled drivers were unable to move as thick smoke drifted across both the eastbound and westbound lanes.
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service continued to bravely battle the flames as shocked motorists watched on.
At the time, the traffic management system, Inrix, said: “M62 Eastbound blocked, stationary traffic due to vehicle fire from J23 A640 New Hey Road (Huddersfield) to J24 A629 (Ainley Top).
“The road has been blocked since around 11.40am. Originally reported as an accident.”
Footage from the scene showed the massive fire raging as emergency crews worked to contain it.
Multiple fire service appliances were summoned to bring the large blaze under control.
With traffic piled up for hours in both directions, drivers were forced to sit in scorching heat, unable to escape the smoke.
The fire was finally brought under control in the afternoon.
Cops confirmed that the eastbound carriageway was reopened, allowing traffic to move again.
Delays continued on due to the backlog of traffic but the worst of the chaos had passed.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but initial reports suggested the incident was linked to a vehicle malfunction.
It comes after dramatic footage captured a lorry explode into flames during another incident last month.
The motorway was closed in the clockwise direction between Junction 5 in Kent and Junction 6 in Surrey because of the devastating blaze.
Drivers stuck on the motorway filmed the burning wreckage as fire crews tackled the blaze.
Another driver captured the flames engulfing the stranded lorry – with smoke billowing across the motorway.
After firefighters extinguished the blaze, the video revealed the charred remains of the lorry, with hardly any recognisable parts left.
Thousands of drivers are suffering severe delays because of the closures.