A 5G mobile phone mast sparked "chaos" after it exploded into flames on a busy main road prompting emergency services to race to the scene.

Traffic routes across Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, were thrown into mayhem today (Sunday) with a main road closed and debris littering the area close to the mast.

The MEN reports the device on Manchester Road set alight at around 4am. Fire crews raced to the scene, as police officers also descended on the main road.

A stretch of the highway was closed off throughout the morning as firefighters extinguished the blaze. An investigation into what caused the 15 metre-high mast to burst into flames is now underway.

Manchester Road, near to the town centre, remained blocked off on the westbound carriageway throughout the day and caused traffic 'chaos' in the area on Sunday.

Dramatic pictures taken at the scene showed the wrecked mast left blackened and charred, with debris left strewn underneath it on the pavement and road.

Motorists said there was "chaos" on the road caused by the closure and "awful traffic" from Ashton-under-Lyne to Denton due to other roadworks nearby.

On social media, one person wrote: "Traffic is awful there and to top it off, the best way round, the Denton route, where they are directing you, roadworks and a temporary traffic light system was just going up as I came back. It will be chaos there when it gets busy until police open that road back up."

Was chaos at 8.30 and coming back about 10am..." wrote another as a third said: "People are going through the closure and having to go around again doubling up the congestion."

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: "At around 4am on Sunday 3 November, crews were called to reports of a phone mast on fire on Manchester Road, Ashton.

"Two fire engines from Ashton and Stalybridge stations were mobilised to the incident.

"The road has been closed in both directions as a precaution. Firefighters are making the area safe, with GMFRS crews and fire investigation officers still at the scene."

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police confirmed officers were called to the scene at around 4.05am this morning. The spokesperson said enquiries into the incident are ongoing.