A huge fire broke out at Fiddlers Ferry power station in Warrington on Thursday afternoon (October 15). Emergency services were alerted shortly before 1pm, with crews from across Cheshire attending the scene at the decommissioned coal-fired power station.
Footage shared on social media showed flames and thick plumes of smoke rising from a building near the former power station, with sirens audible in the background. Road closures were put in place in the surrounding area, and police urged people to avoid the scene while firefighters tackled the blaze.
Road closures and public advice
Cheshire Police confirmed that the A562 Widnes Road was closed eastbound from Dan's Road Roundabout in Widnes towards Warrington, with police urging people to avoid the area. Residents were also advised to keep their windows and doors closed.
The site was safely evacuated and no casualties were reported, according to Peel NRE, which is involved in its redevelopment. The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed.
Redevelopment plans and history
The fire comes as plans progress to redevelop the former power station into a new neighbourhood of around 860 homes, alongside a primary school, health centre and nature reserve. The remaining cooling towers are also due to be demolished by the end of the year.
Fiddlers Ferry power station stopped generating electricity in 2020, ending decades of operation. A gallery of photos from the scene shows the blaze and the emergency response.
