A major incident has been declared following a massive fire at a recycling facility in Widnes, Cheshire, on Monday, June 22. The blaze, involving approximately 700 tons of waste cardboard, sent enormous plumes of black smoke billowing across the region, visible for more than 30 miles.
Firefighters Respond to Blaze at Fresco Recycling
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to the site on Everite Road, believed to be Fresco Recycling, located within the Towngate Business Centre industrial estate. Eight fire engines were deployed to tackle the inferno, which erupted in the early evening. Photos shared on social media captured the scale of the fire, with residents watching from a distance as the smoke plume grew.
Major Incident Declared
Owing to the size of the fire and the smoke plume, the fire service declared a major incident. In a statement, they said: "Owing to the size of the fire and smoke plume, this has now been declared a major incident. Advice to keep windows and doors closed remains in place while firefighters extinguish the fire." Residents in the surrounding area were urged to stay indoors with their windows and doors shut to avoid inhaling smoke.
Road Closures and Police Response
Multiple road closures were implemented due to fears that the building might collapse. Superintendent Sam Billington of Cheshire Police stated: "A large number of officers are in attendance at the scene to manage road closures and provide reassurance to the community. While our colleagues from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service tackle the fire, we would urge residents in the nearby area to follow their advice and stay indoors with their windows and doors closed at this time. I would also ask people not to congregate at the scene as it could hamper our response to this incident."
Impact on the Community
The smoke plume was visible across Cheshire and Merseyside, with aerial pictures capturing the extent of the blaze. Emergency crews remained at the scene throughout the night, working to extinguish the fire and prevent further spread. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and investigations are ongoing.
