Gorton fire LIVE: Manchester blaze breaks out with huge smoke cloud seen for miles
A commercial unit blaze is omitting thick smoke over the city of Manchester, with the raging inferno seen for miles.
A large plume of smoke is billowing over a part of central Manchester this morning, with onlookers seeing it for miles.
A blaze has broken out at a commercial unit on Longden Road in Gorton, south-east of the city, with police setting up a cordon on Matthews Lane.
Some road closures are in place as crews battle the flames with unconfirmed reports suggesting some people living in the vicinity of Matthews Lane have been asked to evacuate.
People have, this morning, taken to social media to report the incident, with some people even mistaking the dense cloud for an incoming storm.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue has advised nearby residents to keep their windows and doors shut and avoid the area.
This is a live blog. See below for the latest updates.
Police response as huge blaze erupts
Police have closed some roads and erected a large cordon.
We are currently assisting our colleagues in Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service after reports of a fire in #Gorton.
\u2014 Gorton Police (GMP) (@GMPGorton) October 4, 2024
A number of roads have been closed in the area whilst emergency services work and we thank the public for their patience during this time. https://t.co/buehRz0knY
People reportedly asked to leave their homes
More pictures as the fire continues to burn
Here's some more pictures from the scene this morning.
Smoke continues to fill Manchester's skies
Plumes of black smoke continue to pour out of the roof of the commercial unit.
The building involved appears to be on Longden Road. Huge plumes of black smoke are still billowing out of the roof pic.twitter.com/uUnRTlqiSm
\u2014 Chris Slater (@chrisslaterMEN) October 4, 2024
Fire Service issues statement
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Services said: "Firefighters are in attendance at a fire involving a commercial unit on Longden Road, Gorton, which is producing a large amount of smoke.
"Nearby residents are advised to keep their windows and doors closed and to avoid the area. Road closures are in place."
Police set up huge cordon
Manchester Evening News reporter Chris Slater is on the scene in Matthews Lane.
He has reported that there is a large cordon around the fire with a police and fire presence.
I\u2019m on Matthews Lane, part of which has been closed to traffic, and which is at the perimeter of the large cordon. There area a huge number of police and fire service vehicles here at the scene pic.twitter.com/rbaBjNDB0M
\u2014 Chris Slater (@chrisslaterMEN) October 4, 2024
Footage of the huge flames from the blaze
A video clip shows the huge flames billowing from the fire in the Levenshulme/Gorton area.
It is believed the blaze is near Matthews Lane.
Dramatic footage shows huge flames and plumes of smoke billowing from fire in Manchester @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/cVKAHb9W5S
\u2014 Ashlie Blakey (@ashlieblakey) October 4, 2024
Images from the scene
Smoke can be seen over Manchester.
What we know so far
Huge plumes of smoke have been spotted billowing over Manchester this morning amid reports of a fire.
The thick black smoke has been spotted over areas in Gorton and Levenshulme.
Pictures and videos show the smoke billowing into the air for miles around.