Toxic smoke alert after factory fire
FIRE crews worked overnight to tackle a blaze at an industrial unit in Stockport.
Residents in Hazel Grove and Stepping Hill were advised to keep their windows and doors shut, as a precaution over a possible risk of toxic smoke.
Firefighters were called to the unit, containing paper materials, printing machinery and stationary, at the Newby Industrial Estate, Hazel Grove, at 5.46pm on Tuesday (December 13).
It was identified the roof of the building contained asbestos and as a precaution firefighters and equipment underwent decontamination processes.
Six fire engines and an aerial ladder were used to bring the fire under control. The team also wore breathing equipment, used hose reels, jets, cold-cutting lances and fans to extinguish the flames.
Shortly before 9pm two further crews were needed to assist with firefighting.
By midnight the fire was almost extinguished and all of the fire engines and support vehicles returned to stations over the next hour.
Two fire crews remained at the scene to dampen down remaining hot spots overnight.
Station manager Steve Twinn said: “Firefighters have been working hard to contain the fire and put it out.
“There has been some smoke in the area while we’ve been dealing with the incident and we ask any residents affected by the smoke to keep their windows and doors closed throughout the night and into the morning.
“We have been working with the owners of the business and our partners to deal with this incident and fire crews have been doing their best to remove quantities of machinery and materials from the property, when it has been safe to do so, to help the affected business as much as possible.”
The fire service confirmed nobody was injured in the fire.
Crews from Gorton, Whitehill, Stockport, Cheadle, Offerton, Marple and Wythenshaw attended the scene.
The incident was also supported by the command support unit and other emergency services.
A fire investigation officer, alongside other agency officers returned to the site later to investigate the cause of the blaze.