Mill could still smoke for a week
POCKETS OF FIRE ARE STILL BURNING UNDER DEBRIS AT BUILDING WHICH HOUSED SEVERAL BUSINESSES
THE shell of a mill virtually destroyed in a blaze could smoke for as long as a week.
Pockets of fire are still burning under debris at Ray Mill in Stalybridge, Tameside.
Dozens of businesses and community groups based there have been left devastated by the fire, including a clothing firm, a gym and a dance troupe.
The blaze broke out at 11.43pm on Saturday and fire crews have been at the scene ever since.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said a controlled demolition of the building was now in progress and roads around the area would remain closed.
Residents nearby, however, have been told to keep windows and doors shut due to the smoke.
In a statement, the brigade said: “There’s still a lot of smoke coming from the mill where pockets of fire are trapped under debris. Please keep windows and doors shut.
“Roads remain closed as controlled demolition is in progress.
“Water supply should be back on soon for those who have been affected. We’re working with demolition experts to break through and tackle it but it could still be burning for a while. There could be smoke for up to a week, but we’ve got it all under control.”
Tameside council meanwhile said the fire was continuing to cause ‘significant disruption’ in the Clarence Street and Tame Street areas.
Residents are being advised to stay away from the area and observe road and pavement closures. All diversions have been signposted.
The council said the mill was now ‘structurally unsound’ and demolition would begin as soon as safe.
Disruption is likely to continue for at least a week, the council added.
A spokesman said: “We wish to extend our thanks to those who worked extremely hard in very challenging conditions to bring the fire under control and to ensure the safety of the public, particularly the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
“We also want to recognise the efforts of those who have worked throughout the night to ensure that 80 buses could be removed from a nearby transport depot to ensure that disruption to public transport is minimised.”
Investigations into the cause of the blaze are continuing.