The fire at the garage involved a vehicle and shipping container
The fire broke out at a commercial garage(Image: Ryan Jenkinson | Manchester Evening News)
A devastating fire involving a vehicle and shipping container ripped through a garage in a Greater Manchester town.
Aerial images from the scene on the edge of Rochdale town centre show the devastation caused by the fire this evening (August 7). Fire crews were called to the blaze at a commercial garage in Jermyn Street, which involved a vehicle and a container, at around 6.15pm.
Huge plumes of black smoke engulfed the area with onlookers left ‘panicked’ as they feared it might spread, one eyewitness said.
The fire is now under control but some roads remain closed as crews using specialist equipment continue ‘damping down’ the area.
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A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “At around 6.15pm today (Thursday 7 August), four fire engines from Rochdale, Littleborough and Heywood fire stations attended a fire involving a vehicle and a container at a commercial garage on Jermyn Street, Rochdale.
“Crews arrived quickly and used three hose reels, a 45mm jet, a drone and aerial platform ladder to extinguish the fire.
“Greater Manchester Police are in attendance to assist with road cordons while firefighters remain on the scene to continue damping down the area.”
Several vehicles and containers were damaged(Image: Ryan Jenkinson | Manchester Evening News)
Rugby Road, James Street and the top of Jermyn Street remain closed while buses are still being diverted away from Yorkshire Street.
Mohammed Yousaf from Auto Shop in Milkstone Road told the Manchester Evening News that people in the area were ‘panicking’.
He said: “They were in a panic, hoping it doesn’t get worse. I told them to close all your windows.
“All the black smoke, it’s not good to inhale it. After that, I heard the fire brigade come, probably around three.
“Then I heard some other sirens. I thought it’s time to leave, before I get stuck there.”
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