A huge fire in a derelict Oldham factory was stopped from spreading to surrounding homes by firefighters this morning.
The blaze at the disused building in Chester Street, Werneth, was reported to Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service at 8:40am, and smoke could be seen for miles around.
Residents in 11 houses nearby were evacuated from their homes for safety reasons – and firefighters were unsure when they would be allowed to return.
Fire crews from Oldham, Hollins, Hyde and Chadderton quickly put out the flames in the 15 metre-high building, which was completely ablaze when they arrived.
The fire did not spread to other properties and nobody is believed to have been injured.
INFERNO: Oldham factory fire tackled this morning
Station Manager John Varey, who was in charge of the incident, said: “We used jets to bring the fire under control and crews worked swiftly to tackle the fire and protect nearby terraced houses – reducing the impact and damage of the fire on local people and property.”
An investigation to establish the cause of the fire will be carried out at a later stage.
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