Blaze mill torn down

BLAZE CAUSED ROAD CLOSURES AND TRIALS AT NEARBY COURTS TO BE CALLED OFF

Everyone’s gutted. A lot of people have lost a lot of money

Businessman who lost stock in the fire

A FORMER mill near Strangeways prison was bulldozed after it was destroyed by a huge fire.

The four-storey building, on Southall Street, was demolished after being deemed structurally unsafe following the blaze.

Business owners looked on in horror as the fire, which covered an area 100m by 100m, took hold.

The entire building – and everything inside – was destroyed.

One businessman, who sells items on eBay, said all his products and computers were wrecked. He said he has no business insurance to cover him.

“I’ve lost everything,” he told the M.E.N. “Everyone’s gutted. A lot of people have lost a lot of money.”

Witnesses reported hearing a loud bang at about 4.40am.

The fire quickly grew, ripping through the building, sending thick clouds of smoke billowing into the air.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: “I drove out of my garage and could see a large cloud of black smoke up ahead.

“You could see it from the far end of Cheetham Hill Road.

“As I drove towards it, I could see flames up the side of the building, as well as police cars and tape blocking the end of Southall Street, just opposite Strangeways.

“There was a sort of metallic smell in the air.”

The smell is thought to have been caused by burning tyres inside the building.

Part of the factory, which contained furniture as well as other items, then collapsed. There were no casualties reported.

It is not yet known how the fire started.

Ten fire engines were sent to the scene and firefighters battled the blaze from height using two hydraulic platforms and multiple jets.

A huge tower of smoke drifted across the city centre, Cheetham Hill and as far away as Monsall, in Salford, as the flames roared on throughout yesterday.

Nearby roads were closed off and people were urged to avoid the area. Great Ducie Street, the road linking Bury New Road and Manchester city centre, was shut in both directions. Lord Street, Roberts Street, Brydon Street, Francis Street and sections of Bury New Road were also closed.

Prisoners at Strangeways were not allowed in an outside yard because of the risk of inhaling fumes. Yesterday morning, a prison spokesman told the M.E.N: “There have been no injuries, and the prison remains operational.

“We are co-operating with the emergency services to ensure the public, staff, and inmates are safe.”

Trials and hearings at Manchester Crown Court and Minshull Street Crown Court had to be cancelled due to transportation issues.

It was the second large fire in less than 24 hours after a blaze at a recycling plant in Salford broke out at around 5.30pm on Tuesday.

Incident commander Tony Bryan said: “This is the second large-scale incident that our firefighters have responded to overnight and I cannot thank them enough for their hard work and response at both incidents.

“They have done a fantastic job in protecting neighbouring and adjacent properties and they are working hard to prevent further fire spread.

“The last 24 hours has been a challenge for our crews but they have done themselves, and the service proud.”