Firefighters evacuate homes amid Delph mill fire
Reporter: Jon Chubb
Date published: 30 April 2019
Fire at Oakdale Mill in Delph
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service say they’ve been forced to evacuate people from their homes overnight while they battle for control of a major blaze at a Mill in Oldham.
It was at around 3am on Tuesday (30th April) when crews from six stations across Oldham and Tameside were called to the fire at Oakdale Mill in Delph.
Cordons were quickly put in place with Delph New Road being closed in both directions while crews battled to get the situation under control.
After a couple of hours firefighters from Oldham, Hollins, Chadderton, Ashton, Stalybridge and Mossley said they were making good progress and had stopped the fire from spreading.
We’re still at the scene of a large mill fire in Delph. 🔥
— Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (@manchesterfire) April 30, 2019
Though crews are on top of the situation there is a lot of smoke in the area, drifting as far as Grains Bar and Greenfield.
It is not harmful but if you are affected please keep windows and doors closed as a precaution. pic.twitter.com/VCbTaYpSGw
However despite their progress residents from ten houses have been evacuated to a local community centre as a precaution with the Fire Service urging people in the nearby area to keep their doors and windows closed.
Speaking from the Command Support Unit on the ground, Station Manager Bob Birtles said: "We have been fighting this fire for over two hours now and we are making good progress and limiting the spread of the flames, and that's thanks to the quick and professional actions of our crews.
"However, there is a lot of billowing smoke in the immediate area. Colleagues from Greater Manchester Police have, as a precaution, evacuated residents from 10 nearby homes to a local community centre. I'd ask people living or travelling locally to keep their doors and windows closed for the time being.
"Delph New Road is currently closed. Please help us to firefight as quickly and efficiently as possible by keeping the immediate vicinity clear."
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