The A628 Woodhead Pass, a major trans-Pennine route used by many Oldham residents travelling towards Sheffield and the Peak District, will remain closed until at least Friday morning after a car caught fire alongside an ongoing moorland blaze near Tintwistle.

The vehicle burst into flames shortly after a crash just after 1.30pm on Wednesday, with shocking images showing the car completely engulfed and huge clouds of black smoke billowing across the moor. Emergency services were called to the scene and the road was initially closed while they dealt with the incident.

National Highways has now confirmed that the closure will be extended for safety reasons. A spokesperson said the A628 is shut in both directions between the A616 Langsett and the A57 Hollingworth, and is expected to remain that way until at least Friday morning. The extended closure is due to the ongoing fire and a separate but unrelated moorland fire at Tintwistle, which has been burning for more than three weeks.

"South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue are now expecting the road to remain closed until at least Friday morning," the spokesperson said. "A multi-agency response involving units from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, National Highways and South Yorkshire Police remains ongoing. The A628 will remain closed in both directions until at least Friday morning for safety reasons due to this fire and another unrelated fire at Tintwistle."

Local traffic is being diverted via nearby routes, while motorists travelling from further afield are advised to use alternative trans-Pennine routes such as the M1, M62 and M60. For Oldham residents, this could mean longer journey times when heading east, particularly for those who regularly use the Woodhead Pass to reach the Sheffield area or the Peak District National Park.

The moorland fire at Tintwistle has been a continuing challenge for fire crews, who have been tackling the blaze for over three weeks. Firefighters from Derbyshire and South Yorkshire remain on scene, and the combination of the ongoing moorland fire and the vehicle incident has made the closure necessary for public safety.

Local residents and commuters are advised to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and check for updates from National Highways before setting out. The road is not expected to reopen before Friday morning, and further updates may follow depending on conditions at the scene.