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A major incident has been declared as emergency services deal with a large fire causing “multiple explosions” at a recycling plant in Cheshire.
Crews from at least 20 engines are tackling with the blaze on Everite Road in Widnes.
It is thought to involve around 700 tonnes of cardboard.
One man, who lives on Ditchfield Road, told the Liverpool Echo that he heard “loads of bangs” before looking out of his back window and seeing the smoke rising.
A taxi driver who was over the road from the scene at Speke Road added, “The entire sky over Liverpool is turning black and multiple explosions are currently taking place. It is a big fire.
“The whole area here smelled of chemicals and it was hard to breathe. I had a passenger and I left.”
Police have asked motorists to avoid the area and urged people not to congregate at the scene over fears it could hamper the emergency response.
Huge plumes of black smoke could be seen in the local area and further afield. Credit: Liverpool Echo
Eight fire engines from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service were initially deployed to the plant just before 4.30pm on Monday 22 June.
The blaze spread rapidly and sent heavy plumes of smoke visible from as far as the Liverpool, Lytham in Lancashire, north Wales and Macclesfield in Cheshire.
The fire service said at 5.30pm that the building was at risk of collapsing, with nearby residents and businesses urged to keep their windows and doors closed.
No-one is thought to have been injured.
Motorists are being advised to avoid the area and a number of road closures are in place.
Cheshire Fire Service later confirmed 20 of its fire engines had been drafted in, with support from crews from Lancashire and Greater Manchester.
It was declared a major incident at 6pm as fire fighters continued to tackle the blaze.
Firefighters later said they were making good progress in tackling the fire and preventing it spreading to adjacent premises. The smoke plume appears to be reducing as a result, they said.
Crews are working in three sectors to extinguish the fire systematically with relief crews arriving to continue working into the night.
The smoke could be seen filling the sky from five miles away in Frodsham Credit: Ian Allen
Supt Sam Billington from Cheshire Police said, “A large number of officers are in attendance at the scene to manage road closures and provide reassurance to the community.
“While our colleagues from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service tackle the fire, we would urge residents in the nearby area to follow their advice and stay indoors with their windows and doors closed at this time.
“I would also ask people not to congregate at the scene as it could hamper our response to this incident.”
The fire service said the number of crews on scene will be reduced overnight and firefighters will continue to damp down the fire, which is now well under control.
The giant smoke cloud dwarfs homes as residents are advised to close their windows and doors. Credit: Liverpool Echo
The full list of road closures is:
Hale Road at the junction of Marshgate
Marshgate at the junction of Everite Road
Ditchfield Road at the junction of Coronation Drive
Ditchfield Road at the junction of Wyncroft Road
Ditchfield Road at the junction of Philip Road
Ditchfield Road at the junction of Everite Road
Liverpool Road at the junction of Ditchfield Road
Liverpool Road at the junction of Hough Green
Netherley Road at the junction of Cross Hillocks Lane
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