M61: Traffic conditions return to normal after earlier fire

Emergency services were called to the M61 southbound between junction four A6 Watergate Lane at Farnworth to junction three at Kearsley Spur at 7.30am.

Traffic was brought to a stop as firefighters from Farnworth and Eccles fire stations tackled the blaze.

The owner of the vehicle, a black Peugeot, ‘managed to get out of the vehicle’.

Firefighters were wearing breathing apparatus and used two hose reels to extinguish the fire and make the area safe.

Crews were in attendance for around 20 minutes.

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Farnworth Fire Station Watch Manager, Oliver Deller, said: “We were called at 7.30am to reports of a vehicle fire on the M61. It involved a black Peugeot, one of the three door ones.

“The owner managed to get out of the vehicle and stood on the hard shoulder, but the car was fully alight when we got there.

“Three fire engines attended, National Highways closed the motorway, and they will be recovering the vehicle as well.

“The fire has now been extinguished.”

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “At just before 7.30am today (Wednesday April 3) three fire engines from Farnworth and Eccles fire stations attended a car fire near to junction 3 of the M61 southbound.

“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reels to extinguish the fire and make the area safe. Crews were in attendance for around 20 minutes.”

All lanes were reopened at around 9.40am.

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