THREE days on, Middleton fire still burning as crews forced to TEAR DOWN building

Friday, 20 June 2025 14:58

By David Murphy

A commercial storage facility in Middleton is being demolished as fire crews work to extinguish a major blaze that broke out on Wednesday afternoon.

Firefighters from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) were called to the incident around 4.50pm on Wednesday 18 June, after a fire engulfed a commercial premises in Middleton. Multiple engines and specialist appliances from across the region were deployed to the scene, alongside other emergency partners.

Due to the structural instability of the building and the hazardous nature of its contents, crews have so far been fighting the flames from outside. A joint decision has now been made with building owners and other agencies to gradually demolish the structure to enable safe internal firefighting.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Barry Moore praised the ongoing efforts of firefighters, stating: “Crews have been working incredibly hard for long hours in tough conditions to contain this complex fire and reduce any risk to the public. The decision has now been taken to gradually demolish the building so firefighters can safely access and extinguish the fire.”

He also thanked local residents and businesses for their understanding, and expressed sympathy to anyone who may have lost possessions in the blaze.

Road closures will remain in place around the site while demolition is underway. Residents in the surrounding area are being advised to keep windows and doors closed due to smoke.

There are no reported injuries at this stage, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.