The A628 Woodhead Pass near Greater Manchester will remain closed until at least Monday following a car fire that spread to adjacent moorland, National Highways has confirmed.
Crash and Fire on Thursday
The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon (July 16) when a car burst into flames on the A628 between the A57 at Hollingworth and the A616 at Flouch. Shocking images from the scene showed a black car completely engulfed in fire. Smoke and flames billowed from the vehicle, which had left the road and crashed on nearby moorland just after 1:30pm.
The fire then spread to the surrounding moorland, according to a South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson. Four fire engines from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, along with a fire engine from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue and a support vehicle from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, were dispatched. Crews were first alerted at 1:33pm.
Ongoing Moorland Fire at Tintwistle
The crash occurred amid a major moorland fire in Tintwistle, above Woodhead Road, which first broke out approximately three weeks ago. That blaze has spread across an area the size of at least 350 football pitches. The A628 closure is partly due to this unrelated fire, which continues to burn.
Road Closure and Diversions
National Highways closed the road in both directions at around 2:30pm on Thursday. In an update, the agency stated: "The A628 will remain closed in both directions until at least Monday morning 20/07/26 for safety reasons due to this fire and another unrelated fire at Tintwistle."
Traffic is being diverted via local routes. Drivers are urged to use alternative routes such as the M1, M62, or M60. The public is advised to avoid the area and plan journeys accordingly.
Multi-Agency Response
A multi-agency response involving units from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, National Highways, and South Yorkshire Police has been ongoing since Thursday. The South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "Woodhead Pass is currently closed between the A57 (Hollingworth) and the A616 (Flouch) and we are asking the public to avoid the area."
