Major Fire Incident in Radcliffe Prompts Extensive Emergency Response
Fire crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) were dispatched to a serious blaze in Radcliffe on Tuesday evening, where a derelict building caught fire, leading to reports of large explosions from local residents. The incident, which occurred on Milltown Street near the River Irwell, required a substantial emergency response and prompted safety warnings for the surrounding community.
Emergency Deployment and Safety Measures
At approximately 7:15 PM on April 21, GMFRS mobilized eight fire engines and three specialist appliances from across Greater Manchester to tackle the building fire. Crews arrived swiftly and employed jets and turntable ladders to combat the flames, which generated a significant plume of smoke visible from areas as far as Bolton and parts of Manchester.
Authorities issued a clear advisory, urging residents to avoid the area and close their windows and doors if they lived nearby. This precaution was emphasized due to the smoke's potential impact on air quality and safety.
Scene Details and Historical Context
The fire erupted at a derelict structure on Milltown Street, a location that has seen previous incidents, including a fire at a derelict mill in September and a blaze at a plastic storage unit in 2022. During this latest event, firefighters established a large cordon, diverting traffic away from the street, which links an industrial zone with the town centre.
To aid in extinguishing the fire, crews utilized water from the nearby River Irwell, which flows southward toward the Manchester Ship Canal. Images from the scene depicted a massive fireball enveloped in thick smoke, with hoses directed at the building.
Community Reports and Investigation Status
Local residents reported hearing a "really large explosion", with similar accounts shared on social media platforms like Facebook. Despite these alarming reports, preliminary indications suggest that no injuries occurred as a result of the fire.
The cause of the blaze remains under investigation by authorities. This incident follows a separate fire that gutted a pub in Bromley, southeast London, over the weekend, highlighting ongoing concerns about fire safety in derelict structures.
Firefighters dedicated several hours to containing and extinguishing the fire, demonstrating the challenges posed by such incidents in urban areas. The swift and coordinated response by GMFRS underscores the importance of emergency preparedness in managing large-scale fires.
