Van bursts into flames on M61 near Chorley

A van burst into flames on the M61 near Chorley this morning (Friday, March 26).
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Emergency services rushed to the scene between junctions 8 (Chorley) and 6 (Horwich) at around 3.55am.

Highways officers stopped traffic on the southbound carriageway while fire crews from Lancashire tackled the blaze.

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Pictures from the scene show the van engulfed in flames on the hard shoulder, just half-a-mile from the exit at Middlebrook.

The van was found engulfed in flames near the M61 exit for Horwich shortly before 4am this morning (Friday, March 26)The van was found engulfed in flames near the M61 exit for Horwich shortly before 4am this morning (Friday, March 26)
The van was found engulfed in flames near the M61 exit for Horwich shortly before 4am this morning (Friday, March 26)

At around 4.43am, crews managed to extinguish the fire and recovery crews were called to the scene.

But due to damage to the road surface and barrier, two lanes of the motorway remained closed whilst repairs were made.

The motorway was fully reopened at 6am and no injuries have been reported at this stage.

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