Mill building collapses as massive early morning blaze rips through businesses and firefighters warn neighbours to stay in with windows closed
- Firefighters called to Morton Mill in Failsworth, Manchester at 5.22am today
- Blaze was seen engulfing the mill building and a boarded up home nearby
- Elecricity to homes in the area is affected and Oldham Road closed in both directions
A large fire ripped through a former mill building in Manchester in the early hours of Sunday.
Firefighters were called to Morton Mill in Failsworth at 5.22am to tackle the blaze which was believed to have started over an hour before.
The roof and several boarded windows have been burnt out, with huge flames still visible two hours after the call out.
Firefighters were called to Morton Mill in Failsworth at 5.22am to tackle the blaze which was believed to have started over an hour before
The roof and several boarded windows have been burnt out, with huge flames still visible two hours after the call out
There are currently eight fire engines, two aerial appliances and a hose layer on scene in response to the emergency.
Crews are tackling the 50 metre by 50 metre incident in five sectors, using jets on the ground and aerial appliances to put out the flames from above.
Electricity to a number of local properties has been affected, with some home and businesses currently without power.
Residents are being asked to avoid the area and A62 Oldham Road is closed in both directions between Broadway and Droylsden Road.
There are currently eight fire engines, two aerial appliances and a hose layer on scene in response to the emergency
Greater Manchester Police told MailOnline that enquiries into the cause of the blaze are ongoing
Group Manager Steve Jordan said: ‘I want to praise the work of our firefighters who are working extremely hard to extinguish this fire and are expected to remain at this incident for a number of hours.
‘We are working closely with a number of partners and I’d also like to thank them for their hard work in supporting GMFRS.
‘I want to reassure local people that although there is a lot of smoke in the area and we are asking nearby residents to keep windows and doors closed, we are continuing to do everything we can to bring this fire fully under control.’
Group Manager Steve Jordan said: ‘I want to praise the work of our firefighters who are working extremely hard to extinguish this fire and are expected to remain at this incident for a number of hours
The mill is home to a few different businesses, including Community Fitness gym which had been closed in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
A spokesperson said: ‘The fire has been going a few hours it’s not looking good for anything being saved.
‘Community Fitness would like to send our thoughts out to everyone who operates from the mill, this will effect a lot of people.
‘Utterly heartbreaking news to wake up to.
‘We only know that much for now but have left our details with the police so as we find out more we will let everyone know.’
Greater Manchester Police told MailOnline that enquiries into the cause of the blaze are ongoing.
‘We are working closely with a number of partners and I’d also like to thank them for their hard work in supporting GMFRS’