HUGE plumes of black smoke have smothered the
Manchester city centre skyline after ‘plastic pallets’ caught
fire.
Firefighters were called to tackle the blaze at wasteland off Livesey Street, near Collyhurst, just after 1pm, quickly bringing it under control.
A spokesman for the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said it involved a large quantity of plastic pallets and other rubbish.
Thick black smoke was sent billowing into the sky and over the city centre, with people in the city for Easter events including the Manchester Duck Race at Spinningfields witnessing the plume.
Fire engines based at Manchester Central, Philips Park and Salford stations attended the scene off Rochdale Road after a number of 999 calls from the public.
There are no reports of any injuries.
The fire has been extinguished and all emergency services have left the scene.
GMFRS were on site for around one hour and 45 minutes, with Greater Manchester Police reopening Peary Street.
Manchester Central Community Fire Station Watch Manager Neil Aylett said: “Alongside colleagues from Salford and Philips Park we worked quickly to extinguish the flames and reduce the smoke, which was thick and black and, had it spread, could have drifted over roads in the neighbourhood.
“Plastics burn very hot, as intense as a car fire in this instance, so despite the fact that this fire was soon under control we had to remain on the scene for some time to make sure the site was safe and the scene damped down.
“Although the smoke might have looked significant at the height of the blaze, in reality this was a fire GMFRS firefighters were quickly able to get on top of, bring under control and put out.”
It is the second major fire in Manchester after a large blaze broke out at a primary school in the town of Leigh.
Firefighters were called to the scene just before 11am on Sunday as huge flames were seen across the city.
GMFRS said the fire was in the main building at Westleigh Methodist Primary School and was soon contained.
There was significant damage to the roof and people, while people were told to avoid the area and keep their windows and doors shut.