Large fire at recycling plant in Salford

Firefighters are expected to remain at the scene of a fire at a recycling plant in Salford for several days.

Crews were called to the fire - which involves thousands of tonnes of mixed waste - at the plant in Duncan Street, close to Regent Road just before 11.30pm on Sunday, March 2.

Smoke could be seen for miles around and six fire engines and GMFRS' Command Support Unit remain at the scene

Because of the serious nature of the fire crews worked to limit the risk of the building collapsing and stopping the flames spreading to the neighbouring businesses and railway line.

Firefighters are now cooling the outside of the building to prevent its collapse allowing the fire inside to burn out.

Group Manager Lee Coleman, said: "Because of the serious nature of this fire we could remain at the scene for several days.

We're getting on top of the fire and the smoke is going up into the atmosphere and dissipating without causing any significant problems to people.

"If the weather changes, it cools down and the smoke starts to come down please keep your doors and windows closed."

National Police Air Service Barton have released new footage of the fire in Salford taken from their helicopter.

Forty fire fighters were needed to bring it under control.

A nearby rail line was suspended for a time this morning over fears the building could collapse.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service are using a tactic to let the fire burn out in a controlled way.

Andrew Heywood told ITV Granada Reports: "It's large quantities of flammable material, paper, plastic that's been shredded and compacted...So there is a massive fireload in that building and it will continue to burn for days".

Firefighters tackling the fire at a recycling plant in Salford say the building could collapse.

It is thought the building will collapse in on itself, rather than outwards.

There are no other buildings surrounding it that are causing significant problems.

Group Manager for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, Andy Heywood said: "At the moment we are applying water to the outside of the building to stop the fire spreading.

"By allowing the fire to burn inside the building it stays hot and gives off smoke which is relatively clean.

"Unfortunately because the building and fire is right next to the railway line we have asked for the trains to be stopped and overhead line equipment isolated.

"It could be several hours before we can be confident of what will happen to the building and how the fire will develop."

Trains running into Manchester from Wigan, Newton-le-Willows and Liverpool will be disrupted for several hours because of a fire in Salford.

The cancellations are expected to cause chaos in the evening rush hour. Fire crews fear the building could collapse onto the line.

This video, taken by Mark Doughty, captures the plumes of black smoke that have been visible across Greater Manchester this morning.

There is disruption on the trains this morning due to the fire in Salford.

The services affected are:

• Northern Rail between Manchester Victoria & Newton-le-Willows
• First Transpennine Express between Manchester Piccadilly & Wigan North Western
• Arriva Trains Wales between Manchester Piccadilly & Warrington Bank Quay
• Disruption on Northern Rail between Manchester Victoria & Liverpool Lime Street

A number of rail replacement services have been put in place. Click here for the latest.