School fire - Higher Blackley, Manchester

Four fire engines - from Broughton, Chadderton, Gorton and Oldham - remain at the scene of an overnight fire at a derelict school in north Manchester. 🚒

This video clip shows what our crews had to contend with at its height in the early hours this morning. 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/1gKAnT0lrv

— Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (@manchesterfire) October 2, 2019

4.30am update

The incident at the site of the former Camberwell Park School in Higher Blackley, Manchester, is scaling down.

Five fire engines from Blackley, Chadderton, Hollins and Manchester Central remain at the scene following a blaze affecting the building which began just after 1am.

Crews have been fighting the fire for around three hours and in the last few minutes have succeeded in all but extinguishing the flames. GMFRS will remain at the scene into the morning, ensuring the fire is wholly damped down and the scene is made safe.

Group Manager Phil Nelson from GMFRS said: “It has been a tough few hours but the fire is now essentially out. Our firefighters have worked tirelessly to extinguish the flames and we will be here through the day ensuring that the scene is fully damped down and there are no further hotspots.

“It is too early at this stage to speculate about a cause. I want to thank colleagues from Greater Manchester Police, North West Ambulance Service, the Environment Agency, utilities companies and the local council for their assistance.”

Bank House Road remains closed but the road closure is not anticipated to last into the morning rush hour. There is still smoke in the local area, including some low lying, so residents are encouraged to take care if travelling and to keep the windows and doors of houses and cars closed.

3.30am update

Firefighters are making good progress at the scene of a derelict former school fire in Higher Blackley, Manchester.

The scene of the blaze measures roughly 80 meters by 40 meters and crews are working hard, using four jets and an aerial appliance to fight the fire from outside the building.

A police cordon is in place around the scene and Group Manager Phil Nelson from GMFRS said: “We are well established at this incident and I want to praise crews who are working extremely hard. I’m pleased to report we are making steady progress – the building is surrounded by the school’s grounds which is helping us keep on top of the fire and prevent any spread.

“We have divided the fire itself into three sectors of firefighting, allowing us to target our efforts on particular hotspots. While the building does remain on fire, I am confident in saying we will be able to stay on top of this situation and soon extinguish the flames.”

Bank House Road is currently closed to traffic and local people are requested to keep the nearby road network clear to allow GMFRS and Greater Manchester Police vehicles easy access. While the fire continues to emit smoke nearby residents are still requested to keep the doors and windows to their homes closed.

3am update

Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (GMFRS) currently has eight fire engines at a fire at a disused single storey school building on Bank House Road in Higher Blackley, Manchester.

Firefighters were called to the blaze just after 1am and were quickly on the scene. Upon arrival it was soon established that the derelict Camberwell Park School building was well alight – crews are currently using four jets to extinguish the flames.

GMFRS expect to be at the scene into daybreak. There is smoke in the immediate vicinity so nearby residents are asked to keep windows and doors closed at this time and leave local roads free from traffic to allow swift and easy access for emergency service vehicles.

02/10/2019 03:12 AM