A dramatic new video has revealed the aftermath of a major fire that engulfed an advertisement lorry outside a furniture outlet in Greater Manchester. The blaze occurred on Saturday, July 11, in the car park of the Factory Outlet Sofa Superstore on Oldham Road in Royton.
Emergency Response and Evacuations
Police and fire crews cordoned off the scene as huge smoke plumes billowed into the sky and flames poured from the stationary HGV. Videos posted on social media showed emergency services racing to the scene and moving bystanders away as the road was taped off in both directions. Nearby properties were evacuated as a precaution, and it took approximately two hours to bring the fire under control.
Aftermath and Damage
A video posted on Sunday morning (July 12) showed the devastating aftermath. The front of the cab had melted away and was left charred, with debris scattered across the ground. A white stationary van in the car park also appeared to have been damaged. Other materials, including cardboard, were ignited in the incident.
Investigation and Store Closure
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) are leading enquiries into the incident. The cause of the fire has not been confirmed, but there is no suggestion of arson or foul play. No injuries were reported.
In a social media post, the sofa outlet store stated: “Due to the recent incident involving the car park, our store will be closed for approximately the next two days. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. We will keep you updated with any further developments and will confirm our reopening as soon as possible.”
Fire Service Statement
A spokesperson for GMFRS said: “At around 3pm on Saturday 11 July, fire crews were called to reports of a fire at a commercial building on Oldham Road, Ashton. Five fire engines and an aerial appliance from across Greater Manchester were quickly mobilised to the incident, which was a fire involving two vehicles within the loading area of the building. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reels to extinguish the fire. GMFRS crews were in attendance for two hours.”
