Widnes fire LIVE as major incident declared with crews tackling 700 tons of cardboard ablaze at recycling facility

The Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service have urged residents to stay away from the scene and to keep windows and doors closed this evening.

Extensive road closures are in place with smoke heavily masking the area. A potential building collapse could occur due to the scale of the fire.

“Nearby residents and businesses are advised to keep windows and doors closed,” a statement read. “Owing to the risk of the building collapsing, firefighters are tackling the blaze from the exterior. All persons are accounted for and no casualties have been reported. Police are managing traffic in the area.”