Demolition begins at storage unit site following devastating fire
Demolition work has begun at a Middleton storage site to help crews tackle a fire which has raged for four days.
Heartbroken business owners have lost their livelihoods, while others have lost treasured personal possessions, since a devastating blaze broke out at Storage World.
A huge fire and rescue service response has been in attendance on Old Hall Street since 4.50pm on Wednesday (June 18), with firefighters working in heatwave conditions.
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Fortunately, no one was injured in the fire, which is understood to involve lithium ion batteries.
Fire chiefs confirmed on Friday that demolition work would begin at the building to allow greater access for crews to tackle the blaze.
Demolition workers moved in on the site this morning (Saturday), with work to rip off the roof now underway.
A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "We're now working to demolish the storage premises in Middleton to gain safe access for crews working to contain and extinguish the fire.
"If you live nearby, please keep windows and doors shut and stay away from the site to allow emergency services to work safely."
Images from the scene today show smoke continuing to rise from the building while demolition work takes place.
Several fire engines remain at the scene, with roads surrounding the storage unit closed and people urged to stay away from the area.
In a statement issued on Friday, a spokesperson for Storage World said: "Our whole Storage World team is shocked and devastated by this incident and the impact on our community of valued individual and business customers at our Middleton store.
"We are so thankful that all our customers and team were able to exit the building safely and thank our onsite team for their brave initial efforts to contain the fire, which started in a customer unit, before the fire brigade attended.
"We are continuing to work closely with fire officers (whom we are immensely grateful to, for working in such challenging circumstances) and insurers to fast track a response to affected customers."
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The company says it will be setting up a counselling support resource for those affected and working to 'ensure all customer goods claims are managed promptly', with customers understood to have insurance cover in place.
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