A FIRE which swept through a large warehouse caused traffic chaos in Manchester city centre.

The blaze tore through the empty building on Sherborne Road, Strangeways, early on Sunday morning.

Dozens of firemen and eight fire engines managed to control the fire, which broke out just after 7.30am.

The single-storey building has been almost completely destroyed.

Police closed a number of roads, including a section of Cheetham Hill Road.

A number of football fans travelling for the Manchester derby match were caught up in the delays.

The building is understood to have been unoccupied.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.