Mill fire, Rochdale

7.15am update

Four fire engines and a hydraulic platform from Whitehill, Bury, Stretford and Stalybridge remain at the scene of a mill fire in Rochdale.

The fire has scaled down but is still not out. Crews are using two jets and using water from height to dampen down the mill which was used to store candles and vehicles.

The roof of the building has collapsed inwards and firefighters are arranging demolition of the building so they can reach the pockets of fire that remain inside the building.

Officer in charge, Station Manager Nick Hince said: “Crews have made great progress and we have scaled back the incident overnight. Seats of fire remain in the building and will be difficult to reach until the building has been demolished.

“Smoke in the area has been reduced and is currently blowing away from local residents but the safety advice remains the same – please keep your windows and doors closed if you live locally.

“One side of Queensway has reopened but the other side remains closed so please avoid the area if you can. We are working hard to extinguish the fire completely so please bear with us as we do so.

“Crews will remain at the scene throughout the day but I would like to thank all of our firefighters and partner agencies who have worked throughout the night, helping us bring the blaze under control.”

1.05am update

Firefighters are continuing to fight the mill fire in Rochdale involving a single storey warehouse which now measures 30m x 40m. The fire is also affecting a chimney which measures approximately 40m high in the centre of the building.

Crews are using a number of covering jets, two aerial platforms and specialist vehicles fight the fire. The air unit is monitoring the blaze to ensure there is no fire spread to surrounding properties.

Local residents that were evacuated as a precaution are now being let back into their homes.

Officer in Charge, Group Manager Paul Starling said: “We are making great progress at the scene and due to the brilliant work of our firefighters, we have surrounded the fire and contained it to the curtilage of the building.

“The chimney in the centre of the building is insecure but we are monitoring the stability and are ensuring crews are kept at a safe distance.

“The air unit is monitoring the fire from height to ensure there is no fire spread to nearby properties and we are going to be reducing the incident to five fire engines shortly.

“There is smoke in the area so if you live locally, please ensure windows and doors are closed. We are working closely with our partners to bring the fire under control so please avoid the area if possible.”

Crews will remain at the scene throughout the night and into the morning. Road closures remain in place and being managed by Greater Manchester Police. 

The cause of the fire is not yet known. 

00.05 update

Over 50 firefighters are continuing to tackle a blaze involving the ground floor and first floor of a mill fire in Greenfield Lane, Rochdale.

Crews are using handheld jets to control the blaze and are also tackling the fire from height using a hydraulic platform. Firefighters are working hard to stop fire spread and protect nearby buildings.

Roughly 20 to 30 nearby homes currently being evacuated as a precaution and Bury and Rochdale Magistrates’ Court has been opened as an evacuation point for residents.

Greater Manchester Police are in attendance managing road closures. The A664 is currently closed in both directions between Dicken Green and Oldham Road. Road closures are also in place on Milkstone Road and Well I’ Th Lane. Please avoid the area where possible.

If you live locally, please ensure windows and doors are closed and avoid the area.

11.15pm update

AT 22.30 Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service were called to a fire involving a single storey mill measuring approximately 80m x 80m in Greenfield Lane, Rochdale.

The building is well alight and there are currently ten fire engines from Rochdale, Littleborough, Chadderton, Oldham, Blackley, Whitefield, Manchester Central in attendance along with the technical response unit from Ashton-Under-Lyne fighting the fire from two sectors.

Cordons are in place and are being managed by Greater Manchester Police. Queensway is currently closed. Please avoid the area if possible and if you live locally, please close your windows and doors.

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19/12/2018 11:39 AM