Latest news with #GreaterManchesterFire
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fire service shares Hotspur Press update as cordon remains 11 days on from blaze
Hotspur Press is being inspected every day after last week's devastating blaze - but the site remains unsafe. Flames soared from the historic former mill last Monday afternoon (June 23), with an inferno leaving much of the building crumbling to the ground. The Manchester Evening News revealed on Wednesday how the city centre site has been deemed 'too unsafe' for a full investigation into the cause of the fire to begin. READ MORE: Diogo Jota: Police confirm cause of Lamborghini car crash after Liverpool star and brother Andre Silva killed READ MORE: The cocky murderer who thought he was too clever to be caught It's understood that partial demolition is needed to take place before authorities can carry out the full inspection. In an update shared this morning (Friday), Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) confirmed it was continuing to inspect the building for any hot spots, with work to determine the 'next steps' for the site still ongoing. A GMFRS spokesperson said: "The fire at Hotspur Press has been extinguished and the building remains cordoned off for peoples' safety with crews inspecting the building daily to check for hot spots. "GMFRS is working closely with Greater Manchester Police, local authority partners and the building owners to work on next steps and ensure a safe and thorough investigation can be completed." Around 140 residents were forced to evacuate nearby apartments after the fire broke out last Monday. A major incident was declared and later stood down. A cordon remains on Cambridge Street surrounding the Hotspur Press site. A spokesperson for MCR Property Group, which owns the site, said earlier this week: "We continue to work with our development partner Manner, alongside GMFRS, GMP and Manchester City Council's Planning and Building Control teams, to manage the Hotspur Press site following the fire. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE "The immediate priority has been to make the structure safe, both for the general public and to allow investigation teams to carry out their work. "This process is being undertaken carefully and in stages, with every effort made to retain as much of the building as possible, in line with structural guidance." The Hotspur Press site was earmarked for redevelopment by Manner, with the façade and iconic 'Percy Brothers' signage due to be retained.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Car smashes into front of house in early hours
A car has ploughed into a house damaging the window and front door. The Volkswagen car had crashed into a lamppost before smashing into the terraced house in Rochdale shortly before 00:45 BST, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said. Debris was strewn near to the house on Edenfield Road in Norden. Three fire engines attended the scene and made it safe and those living in the house were able to evacuate, GMFRS said. The BBC has contacted Greater Manchester Police for more details. A GMFRS spokeswoman said: "Shortly before 12:45am this morning three fire engines from Rochdale and Heywood fire stations were called to attend a road traffic collision involving one vehicle into a domestic property on Edenfield Road, Rochdale. "Firefighters arrived quickly and made the scene safe using specialist equipment including lighting, gas monitors and a thermal imaging camera." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Greater Manchester Police
BBC News
24-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
'Terrifying' moment Hotspur Press fire spread to student flats
A man visiting his daughter at her student flat spoke of the "terrifying" moment fire spread to her block from a fire in a derelict building across the road. Hotspur House, a 225-year-old former printing press and mill, was destroyed when wind whipped up the flames, causing the blaze to spread rapidly throughout the building's wooden internal structure. As firefighters battled to get the fire under control on Monday afternoon, wind carried burning embers onto neighbouring tower blocks. Abdullah Alumair was in his daughter Shuaa's flat in Block B of 1 Cambridge Street when what appeared to be a sudden fog descended outside, shortly after 16:00 BST. "I opened the window, immediately I start smelling the smoke and I found it's definitely a fire nearby," he told the BBC. He said he and his wife and daughter left the building and stood on the street outside where they saw the Hotspur Press, which has been empty since 1996, well-alight. He said: "After about half an hour things become very serious, the flame broke like hell. "The police start clearing the area, fencing the area, and it was windy."It was a terrifying moment when we noticed the fire start catching our building because of the wind carrying the dust or whatever."He said he saw a balcony on the building catch fire. Mr Alumair and his family were among more than 100 people given temporary accommodation on Monday night. Ben Levy, area manager for Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service, said investigations into the cause of the blaze were at an early stage. When asked if there had been any signs of foul play so far such as accelerants, he said it was too early to say. But he added: "My experience is you would not need accelerant in a building like this which is so old, so dry... it's internal construction is wood. "On a dry afternoon with a bit of wind it will burn well, sadly. "It's another iconic and historic building... it's a sad day for Manchester where buildings like this are lost, potentially."Mr Levy said there had been concerns about asbestos and toxic fumes being released, but he said tests had revealed nothing of significant concern and said there was "very minimal" risk to the public beyond the site of the blaze. There had been no reports of any injuries, he added. Block A of the 1 Cambridge Street building is still being assessed and residents have not been permitted to return yet, Mr Levy confirmed. On Tuesday evening the building's concierge team said the fire service would alow temporary access for people to collect their belongings. Student rental business owner Nikolas Savva said he helped put up about 17 people in properties nearby. He said "everything was very smooth" and praised staff at the Holiday Inn hotel on Oxford Road, where some residents from the evacuated building were sent. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram, and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
The Independent
24-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
Manchester's oldest mill destroyed after major fire
A major fire has destroyed what is believed to be Manchester's oldest mill, forcing dozens of nearby residents to evacuate. The Hotspur Press building near Manchester Oxford Road railway station caught fire around 4.30 pm on Monday. Fire services said the flames engulfed three floors of the derelict mill. A spokesperson for the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Services (GMFRS) said over 100 firefighters and two dozen fire engines responded to the scene, while two aerial units were deployed to contain the fire's spread. Residents living in two nearby apartment blocks were also evacuated, with dozens having to stay in hotels or with family and friends, after the fire spread to several balconies of the two buildings. A doorman at one of the nearby evacuated buildings told the Manchester Evening Press that smoke was 'billowing everywhere' while the fire was 'raging'. 'I don't even know what to say - it was wild,' he said. "I could smell smoke, so I went outside and saw that the entirety of the building was on fire'. The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Services said officers were called on from around the wider area to help contain the fire. Trains coming in and out of Manchester Oxford Road were also cancelled as cinders reportedly landed on the track. National Rail said 'residual' disruption had been expected until 9.30 am on Tuesday. Council leader Bev Craig said: 'We've been working closely with emergency response colleagues this evening following the major fire incident at the Hotspur Press building. Evacuated residents are now being supported at a nearby rest centre. 'A cordon remains around Cambridge Street along with local road closures, and we thank people for taking fire service advice to avoid the area while crews continue to work at the site. Those living nearby should also continue to keep windows and doors shut to avoid smoke. 'A final thank you to the city's emergency personnel for their ongoing efforts tonight, acting quickly to keep the fire under control and keeping our residents safe.' Originally built as Medlock Mill, a cotton mill, in around 1801, the building is thought to be Manchester's oldest mill. After ceasing printing operations in 1996, the building fell into disrepair and has remained empty ever since. A redevelopment plan was given the go-ahead in May 2024 to turn the old mill into a 36-storey student tower, but work had not yet begun. A spokesperson for the GMFRS said the major incident warning was lifted shortly after 9 pm, and the occupants of one of the two buildings have returned.
BBC News
23-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Fire near Manchester Oxford Road station stops trains
Firefighters are tackling a major blaze at a derelict building in Manchester city blaze at the old Hotspur Press printing works is close to the Manchester Oxford Road railway station and National Rail said all lines are blocked. It said rail services running through the station may be cancelled or delayed with disruption expected until 20:00 Manchester Fire and Rescue Service have been contacted. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
