Firefighters remain on scene for second day as smoke billows and structure is left severely damaged
A major fire at the Storage World complex in Middleton has left the building on the brink of total collapse, with crews battling to contain the flames for a second consecutive day.
The blaze, which broke out on Wednesday afternoon at the Old Hall Street facility, quickly intensified. Firefighters responded with six engines, an aerial platform and a specialist scorpion appliance to tackle what remains a dangerous and volatile situation.
Thick black smoke has continued to pour from the upper levels, and the roof of the building has now fully collapsed under the strain. The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) described the conditions as “challenging”, and surrounding residents are still being advised to keep doors and windows shut.
A full cordon remains in place, covering both the building and its car park. Emergency road closures continue to disrupt access in the local area.
In a public statement, GMFRS said: “Crews have worked hard overnight to contain the fire at the commercial premises on Old Hall Street, Middleton. Our efforts are focused on tackling pockets of fire and making the building safe.”
Storage World, which housed both storage units and office spaces, has confirmed “extensive” damage. A spokesperson urged customers not to contact the company directly or try to visit the site while emergency work continues.
“More information will be provided by Friday afternoon,” the statement added. “We are working closely with the fire service to understand the situation and ensure all customers receive accurate updates.”
Although no injuries have been reported, the full extent of the damage is still unknown. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
However, residents and local business owners who have spoken to emergency crews say they have been warned the entire building is likely to be gone by the weekend, now that the roof has collapsed and the structure continues to burn.
Credit: Rennie Schafer
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