A STRETCH of motorway was closed after a car fire this evening.
The M61 northbound was shut between junction six at Horwich and junction eight at Chorley due to the blaze.
It caused queues from junction five and delays onto the A6 through Chorley to junction eight.
The carriageway was closed at around 7pm and fully re-opened at about 9pm.
A motorist driving southbound in the opposite direction said it looked to be quite a 'bad incident'.
He said: "There was a family stood by the side of the road with police.
"There was quite a few police cars there, maybe about four of five.
"Traffic was queuing back quite a way, but it was getting through slowly in the one lane that was open.
"I just hope everyone's okay.
"It must be quite bad for them to have to close the road completely."
#M61 northbound closed J6-J8 due to a vehicle fire. Traffic within the closure is being filtered past the scene in 1 lane (of 3). Slow traffic approaching J6. Please allow extra time. Diversion via the A6 through #Chorley (route marked with a black triangle symbol on roadsigns). pic.twitter.com/vKugPhl3Uh
— Highways England (@HighwaysNWEST) May 21, 2018
M61 n/b J6-8 is CLOSED after a vehicle fire and fuel spillage. Queues from J5. Delays onto the A6 through Chorley to J8.
— Manc Traffic (@manctraffic) May 21, 2018
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