Hundreds of homes evacuated after major fire at Oldham paper mill

Emergency services have evacuated more than 100 nearby properties after a large blaze broke out at a paper mill site in Greater Manchester.

More than 70 firefighters and 15 fire engines from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service are tackling the fire at the building on Cardwell Street in Oldham, north-east of Manchester, on Thursday morning.

The crews have had to be pulled back from some areas due to the building collapsing.

Fire officer Lee Smart said residents affected by the major incident were being evacuated to the Honeywell Centre and urged others still in their homes to keep their windows and doors closed.

The fire has also spread to some tyres.

Oldham fire
Firefighters at the scene of a large blaze at a paper mill in Oldham. Credit: Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue/Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue

A fire spokeperson tweeted: "The building at #oldham mill fire is fully involved. It is not believed any casualties are involved. Residents to please keep windows shut."

Firefighters have not entered the building and are currently attacking the blaze from the outside, the fire service said.

A video tweeted on the fire service's official account showed plumes of smoke and large flames rising from the structure.

Oldham fire
Firefighters at the scene of a large blaze at a paper mill in Oldham. Credit: Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue/Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue

It is understood this is the second recent blaze to break out at the mill, with the five-storey site also reportedly suffering major damage in late September.

The fire service said crews were trying to extinguish the inferno "from all angles", with firefighters using hoses from outside the building's perimeter in a bid to put it out.

The North West Ambulance Service was also on the scene, it said.

Oldham fire
More than 70 firefighters are tackling a blaze at a paper mill in Oldham. Credit: PA/PA

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police told the Press Association it was "far too early to say" if the blaze was suspicious and confirmed it was burning at the old Maple Mill site.

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