THE M62 Eastbound will be closed this morning after a report of explosions coming from a burning lorry.

Firefighters called to the motorway found a trailer unit well alight and determined that the dramatic sounds of explosions had come from the vehicle's tyre bursting due to the heat from the blaze.

It is understood to have taken place between Junction 28 Tingley and Junction 29 Lofthouse around 4.15am, also leading to a fuel spillage.

West Yorkshire Police is asking drivers to avoid the area while teams clear the area, meaning it will likely be shut throughout the rush hour period and morning.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Crews are currently in attendance dealing with a fire involving the trailer of a Heavy Goods Vehicle.

"Numerous calls were received stating explosions coming from the vehicle, but on arrival this has proved to be the tyres of the vehicle that were exploding due to heat.

"The trailer unit is well alight and crews are currently using three hose reel jets and two breathing apparatus and are setting up a water shuttle to ferry water to the incident."

There is also congestion along A650 Bradford Road as drivers divert via the M621 and M1 from M62 J27 (Gildersome).

Five crews from Ossett, Hunslet, Normanton and Leeds were called to the scene.

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