A huge fire has broken out in Crewe with six fire crews at scene. Smoke can be seen bellowing over the town in the Nantwich Road area as firefighters respond to fire at a disused building.
Crews from Crewe, Nantwich, Audlem, Winsford and Northwich, as well as an aerial ladder platform from Lymm have been sent to the scene in Catherine Street. The fire was first reported to the fire service at 4.23pm today (August 9).
A spokesman for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Fire crews are at the scene of a disused building fire. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus are using hose reel jets to dampen the flames as quickly as possible. Updates will be added when available."
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Key Events
Fire extinguished, fire service says
"Incident split into four sectors" as help from Staffordshire and West Midlands fire services brought in
"Keep doors and windows closed"
15 fire engines at the scene
"Large building is well alight"
KEY EVENT
Fire extinguished, fire service says
The fire has now been extinguished, the fire service says. Around 21 hours after firefighters began tackling the blaze in Crewe, it is now fully extinguished.
Crews remain on the scene.
A statement from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service reads: "The fire has been extinguished but crews are continuing to dampen down and cool any hotspots."
Josh Pennington
Many residents allowed to return to their homes
Many residents have now been told they can return to their homes.
A spokesperson for Cheshire Fire and Rescue service said: "Residents from Edward Street and Wood Street are now able to return to their homes. For residents of Catherine Street, those who live in houses 85 down to 1 and 50 down to 2 can also return to their homes."
Josh Pennington
Pictures show United Utilities 'water on wheels' tankers lining up at the scene in Crewe
Picture sent in by Jack Keane
Josh Pennington
"No injuries"
Cheshire Police confirm there have been no reports of injuries from the fire.
Josh Pennington
Residents still unable to return to their homes
Some residents remain unable to return to their homes and are being supported by Cheshire East Council.
Crewe Lifestyle Centre is being used as a rest centre for those residents.
Josh Pennington
Police arrest boy, 12, on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life
Police have arrested a 12-year-old boy on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life as firefighters continue to tackle a huge fire in Crewe. Emergency services are continuing to work at the scene of the large fire on Catherine Street.
More here.
Josh Pennington
10 pictures of the fire in Crewe
Josh Pennington
Firefighters work through the night and remain on the scene
Firefighters have worked through the night to tackle the fire. An update from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service says crews remain on the scene this morning.
A spokesperson for the fire service said: "Firefighters have been working throughout the night tackling the fire. There are currently two fire engines at the scene along with our high reach extending turret (HRET) scorpion and command unit."
Lorna Hughes
Fire service issues drone warning
Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service has issued a warning to those flying a drone at the scene, warning it could hamper work by the emergency services:
There are reports of a drone flying over and around the incident ground. Please can we ask that drones are not flown around the scene as this is affecting the police drone from assisting us in tackling the fire.
Lorna Hughes
Firefighters 'making good progress'
Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service says firefighters are "continuing to tackle the fire and are making good progress".
Residents are still being asked to keep windows and doors closed due to the smoke plume.
Lorna Hughes
Roads still closed in Crewe tonight
Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service has shared a list of road closures Cheshire Police currently has in place:
Nantwich Road with the junction Mill Street/South Street
Nantwich Road junction Brooklyn St
Nantwich Road junction Ruskin Rd
Bedford Street junction Gresty Rd
Gresty Road junction Nantwich Rd
Manor Way junction Ernest Street
Ernest Street junction Madely Street
Bedford Street junction Ernest Street
Westminster Street junction Nantwich Road
Walthall Street junction Nantwich Road
Josh Pennington
Fears among local evacuated residents
As the incident progresses, there are growing fears among local residents that may not be able to get back into their homes until tomorrow.
Several homes have been evacuated in the area around the fire.
KEY EVENT
"Incident split into four sectors" as help from Staffordshire and West Midlands fire services brought in
The latest update from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service the incident has been split up into four sectors. They say further assistance from Staffordshire and West Midlands fire services have been brought in.
A spokesperson for the fire service said: "The incident has been split into four sectors with specialist appliances, breathing apparatus and hose reels jets being used to tackle the fire.
"One fire engine from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and one from West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service have been released from the incident."
Josh Pennington
Pictures show police closing off roads in the area
These pictures from Jack Keane show a large cordon put in place by police around the area
KEY EVENT
"Keep doors and windows closed"
Firefighters are urging residents in the area to "stay indoors with their windows and doors closed at this time".
KEY EVENT
15 fire engines at the scene
The latest update from the fire service says that 15 fire engines are now at the scene tackling the huge blaze that is near to residents' homes.
A spokesman for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service says: "15 fire engines plus a number of special appliances including a water bower and a high volume pump are now at the scene.
"Firefighters are continuing to tackle the large fire."
KEY EVENT
"Large building is well alight"
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service say the incident "involves a large building, measuring approximately 70m x 90m" and that it is "well alight". They say the aerial ladder platform and scorpion are tackling the fire from above.
Josh Pennington
Drone picture shows incredible size of fire
This photo by Steve O'Neill shows the incredible enormity of the fire in Crewe and just how close it is to nearby residential homes.
Josh Pennington
Firefighters sent to scene from eight stations across the county
Cheshire Fire and Rescue service says a total of seven fire engines, an aerial ladder platform and a "high-reach extending turret scorpion" are all now in attendance at the scene of the fire.
They say the crews have been deployed from Crewe, Nantwich, Audlem, Winsford, Northwich, Macclesfield, Lymm and Congleton.
Josh Pennington
"This is Crewe right now"
This is #crewe right now #cheshire pic.twitter.com/YTz59xqR5K
— Lewis (@xlewisbdx) August 9, 2024
Josh Pennington
UPDATE from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service have issued an update urging members of the public not to congregate.
The statement from the service reads: "Nearby houses are being evacuated by Cheshire Police. Residents are asked not to congregate at the scene."
Josh Pennington
Picture shows the view from Nantwich
Josh Pennington
Police are evacuating residents from the area
Cheshire Police officers are evacuating residents from the surrounding area. Officers are on the scene while firefighters tackle the blaze.
A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: "Cheshire Fire and rescue are currently dealing with a large commercial building fire on Frances Street Crewe.
"We have multiple patrols on scene with a cordon in place to ensure the safety of nearby residents.
"Please evacuate the area as directed by officers while Fire crews are tackling the fire."
