Commercial building fire - Oldham Road, Manchester

4.20pm update

Firefighters have scaled back their operations and one fire engine from Phillips Park remains at the scene, following a night that saw up to eight pumps and other specialist appliances tackling the blaze.

The crew is currently damping down the last remaining hotspots and will carry out checks to ensure that the area is safe before bringing the incident to a close.

05.45am update

Firefighters have worked throughout the night to tackle a large commercial building fire on Oldham Road, Manchester.

Six fire engines and an aerial platform remain at the scene this morning. A total of eight fire engines and specialist appliances were deployed at the height of the incident.

SM Steven Forster, in charge at the incident, said: “Our firefighters have worked exceptionally hard throughout the night to contain this fire and bring it under control. This has been a challenging incident, with crews needing to gain access to different areas on the site and working under the very warm conditions we’ve experienced lately, and I want to praise the determination and professionalism they’ve shown.

“The smoke plume from the fire has now reduced considerably, and we will remain at the scene this morning to damp down the remaining pockets of fire.

“Some road closures are still in place. I’d like to thank local residents and business owners for their patience and cooperation, and ask that people please continue to avoid the area while we are in attendance.”

Crews have been assisted at the scene by colleagues from Greater Manchester Police, Electricity North West, and Cadent. They have also been aided by a specialist ‘Stinger’ appliance from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, equipped with a piercing tool, to help them gain access to areas of the site to extinguish the flames.

00.15am update

At around 10.40pm on Wednesday 21 July, GMFRS crews were called to reports of a large fire at a commercial premises on Oldham Road, Manchester.

Eight fire engines and other specialist appliances are currently at the scene. Firefighters are working hard in very warm conditions to tackle the blaze in sectors using jets, an aerial platform and a ground monitor, and to prevent spread to adjacent buildings.

Road closures are in place. Local residents are advised to keep their windows and doors closed and should avoid the area while firefighters carry out their work.

22/07/2021 00:18 AM