A FIRE tore through a town centre warehouse sending smoke billowing out into the Stockport sky.
More than 45 firefighters and six appliances were sent to the five-storey unoccupied mill on Hillgate at 4pm today.
Eye-witness Alistair Monaghan, who works at nearby Resolution, said: "It looked pretty bad, we saw the smoke and went to investigate. There were flames coming out of the windows and they were getting bigger."
No-one was reported injured in the blaze but police closed off Wellington Street and Churchgate due to thick smoke.
The diversions have caused long tailbacks around the town centre.
A GM Fire Service spokesman said: “It is an unoccupied building and we are unaware of any casualties. Crews are using breathing masks and jets to control the blaze. However, the fire is causing congestion to other ares.”
Nick Rosenthal (@nickrosenthal) captured the fire on camera and posted it on Twitter - he reported that Wellington Street had been closed between Hillgate and the market.
Tweet
Rob Wilson (27/11/2009 at 14:53)
Rumours were going around last time that this area is due for renovation and that its a quick way to clear the land. Whats the cause this time? I know alot of homeless people and junkies have frequented the abandoned buildings around there for years.