Two fire engines from Crewe, one fire engine from Nantwich, one fire engine from Audlem, one fire engine from Winsford, one fire engine from Northwich, High Reach Extending Turret (HRET) Scorpion from Macclesfield, one fire engine from Lymm, one fire engine from Congleton, the aerial ladder platform from Lymm, one fire engine from Chester, one fire engine from Sandbach, the high volume pump from Powey Lane, the command unit from Northwich Fire Station and two fire engines from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and one from West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service.
Details
Fire crews are at the scene of a disused building fire. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus are using hose reel jets to dampen the flames as quickly as possible.
UPDATE - 17:30 - 7 fire engines, an aerial ladder platform and our high reach extending turret scorpion are in attendance. Nearby houses are being evacuated by Cheshire Police. Residents are asked not to congregate at the scene. Police cordons are in place.
Update 18:00 - the incident involves a large building (measuring approximately 70m x 90m) that is well alight. The aerial ladder platform and scorpion are tackling the fire from above.
Residents in the nearby area are advised to stay indoors with their windows and doors closed at this time.
UPDATE 19:00 - 15 fire engines plus a number of special appliances including a water bowser and a high volume pump are now at the scene. Firefighters are continuing to tackle the large fire. A number of gardens of surrounding properties have been affected by the fire.
Residents in the nearby area are advised to stay indoors with their windows and doors closed at this time.
UPDATE 20:00 - the incident has been split into four sectors with specialist appliances, breathing apparatus and hose reels jets being used to tackle the fire. The fire has been surrounded and no further properties have been affected by the fire.
One fire engine from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and one from West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service have been released from the incident.
Cordons remain in place and residents are asked to keep windows and doors closed.
Update 21:10 - Firefighters are continuing to tackle the fire and are making good progress. Residents are asked to keep windows and doors closed due to the smoke plume.
Update 21:25 - here is a list of road closures that are currently in place from Cheshire Police:
- Nantwich Road with the junction Mill Street/South Street
- Nantwich Road junction Brooklyn St
- Nantwich Road junction Ruskin Rd
- Bedford Street junction Gresty Rd
- Gresty Road junction Nantwich Rd
- Manor Way junction Ernest Street
- Ernest Street junction Madely Street
- Bedford Street junction Ernest Street
- Westminster Street junction Nantwich Road
- Walthall Street junction Nantwich Road
Update 21:45 - there are reports of a drone flying over and around the incident ground. Please can we ask that drones are not flown around the scene as this is affecting the police drone from assisting us in tackling the fire.
Update 22:30 - An electrical substation near to the disused building was also affected by the large fire so electricity to some neighbouring properties has been affected.
Update 00:00 on 10 August 2024 - the number of fire engines in attendance has reduced to 10 along with the scorpion and aerial ladder platform.
Residents from Ernest Street and Bedford Street are now being allowed to return to their homes. These are the only streets at this present time.
Due to the smoke plume, residents living in Frances Street, Wood Street, Chamber Street, Edward Street and Catherine Street won’t be able to return to their properties at this stage.
Crewe Lifestyle Centre is being used as a rest centre for residents who are unable to return to their homes.
Firefighters will remain at the scene overnight.
Update at 8:20 on 10 August - firefighters have been working throughout the night tackling the fire. There are currently two fire engines at the scene along with our high reach extending turret (HRET) scorpion, aerial ladder platform and high volume pump and command unit.
Update from Cheshire Police at 10:30 - Emergency services are continuing to work at the scene of a large fire on Catherine Street in Crewe.
Some residents remain unable to return to their homes and are being supported by Cheshire East Council.
Crewe Lifestyle Centre is being used as a rest centre for those residents.
Firefighters are continuing to work at scene of the fire which started at the disused building yesterday afternoon (Friday 9 August).
There are no reports of any injuries.
A number of road closures remain in place while the work continues at the scene.
Police investigating the fire have arrested a 12-year-old boy on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. Enquiries are continuing.
Superintendent Claire Jesson said:
“I’d like thank residents for their patience while emergency services continue to work tirelessly at the scene.
“We understand people will want to get back into their properties as soon as they can, and we are all working hard to ensure that it is safe for you to do so. Agencies will continue to work with displaced residents to keep them updated as to when they can return.
“While our colleagues from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service tackle the fire, we continue to urge residents in the nearby area to stay indoors with their windows and doors closed at this time.”
Update at 11:45am - residents from Edward Street and Wood Street are now able to return to their homes.
For residents of Catherine Street, those who live in houses 85 down to 1 and 50 down to 2 can also return to their homes.
Update at 13:20 - the fire has been extinguished but crews are continuing to dampen down and cool any hotspots
Update at 16:00 - for those residents who it is now safe to go back in your home - here are some handy numbers if you have any questions about your electricity or gas supply:
- For electricity supply call SP ENERGY Networks on 105
- For gas queries call Cadent gas on 0800 111 999.
Update at 17:15 - Two fire engines are still on scene and will remain at the scene overnight. Crews are working with a demolition team to dampen down any hotspots.
Frances Street is still closed along with part of Catherine Street.
A joint investigation with Cheshire Police is underway to establish the cause.
Update 19:45 - local authority and street cleaning teams are working to clear Catherine Street and Frances Street of any debris with residents of Catherine Street along with half of Frances Street (1-15) will be allowed to return home. Residents who can return to their home will be contacted. Catherine Street and France Street are closed while firefighters continue to dampen down.
Update at 8pm from Cheshire East
Following the incident at Catherine Street, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service continue to work in the area and although the fire is damping down, they are working to expose remaining hotspots and extinguish these.
We would like to thank everyone who has been affected by this incident for your patience and co-operation in what we know has been a difficult and challenging time for residents and our rescue services.
We are now able to access some of the surrounding area to begin to undertake an assessment as well as bringing in specialists to determine whether there are any ongoing risks.
You may now see our street cleaning crews and other officers working to assess and remove any remaining dust and debris from the incident.
Although the impact to public health is minimal, there is always the possibility that asbestos containing materials may have been disturbed during the fire and building collapse.
If you do find any ash or suspect debris from the fire (such as corrugated roofing, drainpipes or sheets) on your property, please do not touch it and call the council on 0300 123 5025.
Please be reassured that the risks to health are low and there is unlikely to be any significant exposure to asbestos following a fire involving materials containing asbestos. Residents who were advised to evacuate properties during the fire were asked to do so as a precautionary measure due to proximity to the fire, not because of any concerns relating to asbestos.
There is no direct evidence of long-term health risks from fires involving asbestos containing materials, but it is sensible that any asbestos-containing ash or debris is removed to minimise any potential exposure. If residents do find any ash or debris (such as corrugated roofing, drainpipes or sheets) from the fire on their property, please do not touch it and call the council on 0300 123 5025.
If it is absolutely necessary to move or remove debris yourself (for example from a car windscreen) first damp down the debris using water, and either gently flush away small particles to the drain or, wearing protective gloves to prevent scratches, pick up larger pieces carefully and place them within two plastic bags, one within the other (double bag), seal the bags and take it to Crewe household waste recycling centre at Pyms Lane, or call the number above to ask any questions.
Please do not sweep up or vacuum debris as this could create airborne dust containing ash and other materials from the fire which increases the likelihood of breathing it in.
If anybody came into contact with the smoke plume this may have caused them to have had breathing difficulties, watery eyes, coughing and a sore throat. If residents experience any symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, watery eyes or cough following the fire please contact your GP or NHS 111.
The council has arranged alternative accommodation for those households who are unable to return home due to the emergency cordon and have nowhere else to go. The Emergency Rest Centre at the Crewe Lifestyle Centre has now closed. If residents have any concerns that the council can help with, please call 0300 123 5025 to ask for assistance.
Update at 9:15am on 11 August - Two fire engines remain at the scene and are continuing to dampen down any hotspots. Demolition teams are on site and will continue their work alongside firefighters and the fire investigation team.
Road closures remain in place on Frances Street and Catherine Street.
Update 13:50 - Crews are continuing to dampen down at the scene.
Update at 17:15 - firefighters have now left the scene of this incident.
Catherine Street and Frances Street will remain closed until they have been cleaned then residents will be allowed to return to their properties.
