Radcliffe fire: Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue's statement in FULL after blaze

Radcliffe fire: Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue's statement in FULL after blazeCrews with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service rushed to a scene in Radcliffe, where a derelict building caught alight and residents heard large explosionsNewsRamazani Mwamba and Bradley Jolly Overnight News Editor23:53, 21 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesFlames roared through a derelict building in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester(Image: MEN)Fire crews dealt with a serious blaze for hours last night — and urged residents to avoid the area and close their windows.‌In full, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) explained it sent eight fire engines and three specialist appliances from across the county to reports of a fire in Radcliffe. The blaze broke out at a derelict building on Milltown Street beside the River Irwell in the town north of Manchester at around 7pm.‌The force's statement in full reads: "At around 7.15pm today (Tuesday 21 April), eight fire engines and three specialist appliances from across Greater Manchester were called to a building fire on Milltown Street, Radcliffe. Crews arrived quickly and are using jets and turntable ladders to extinguish the fire. Residents are asked to avoid the area and close their windows and doors if they live nearby."‌READ MORE: Armed police called over gunfire and cries of 'I've been shot' but neighbour was playing Call of DutyREAD MORE: Huge fire engulfs Scotland hospital building as crews battle flames overnightView 3 ImagesCrews in eight fire engines tackled the blaze (Image: MEN)Speaking earlier last night, the GMFRS had said: "The fire is generating a large plume of smoke so please avoid the area and close your windows and doors if you live nearby." The smoke was seen as far as Bolton in the west and parts of Manchester itself in the south.‌Firefighters spent hours tackling the blaze, where they set up a large cordon. Traffic was diverted away from Milltown Street, which connects an i...