Homes evacuated as dozens of firefighters tackle huge mill blaze

Families have been forced to evacuate their homes after a huge fire broke out at a mill in Manchester.

More than 50 firefighters are tackling the blaze at the mill on Greenfield Lane in Rochdale.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said about 30 nearby homes were being evacuated as a precaution, as crews worked to stop the flames from spreading.

Bury and Rochdale Magistrates' Court has been opened as a shelter.

Pictures from the scene show the building engulfed in fire, with flames visible from miles around. There are no reported injuries.

A mill fire in Greenfield Lane, Rochdale.
A mill fire in Greenfield Lane, Rochdale.

The fire service said crews were called at just before 10.35pm on Monday.

A spokesman said: "Crews are using handheld jets to control the blaze and are also tackling the fire from height using a hydraulic platform.

"Firefighters are working hard to stop fire spread and protect nearby buildings.

"If you live locally, please ensure windows and doors are closed and avoid the area."

Police have shut the A664 in both directions between Dicken Green and Oldham Road, while road closures are also in place on Milkstone Road and Well I' Th Lane.

(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga');ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Ellie Cullen, Press Association');ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'a1e43953-8935-444e-a481-eb6feb3207e1');ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:news,paservice:news:uk');ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', null);ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Homes evacuated as dozens of firefighters tackle huge mill blaze'});

Advertisement