Fire Under Control at Widnes Recycling Centre
A significant fire involving approximately 450 tonnes of cardboard at a recycling facility on Everite Road, Widnes, Cheshire, is reported to be well under control, according to Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service. The blaze began at 16:27 BST on Monday, prompting the declaration of a major incident due to its scale. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.
Twenty fire engines from Cheshire responded to the incident, with additional support from Lancashire and Greater Manchester fire services. Overnight, the number of personnel was reduced, but efforts to damp down the fire continue.
"Firefighters will continue to damp down the fire," a fire service spokesperson stated.
Investigations into the cause of the fire have yet to commence, and no information is currently available regarding its origin.
Firefighting Strategy and Safety Measures
The fire rapidly spread throughout the single-storey building, producing a substantial plume of smoke visible for miles. Due to concerns about the structural integrity and the risk of collapse, firefighters operated from outside the building.
Operations were divided into three sectors to systematically extinguish the fire, with relief crews working through the night to maintain progress.
Residents in the vicinity were advised to keep windows and doors closed and remain indoors during the night as a precautionary measure.
Impact on Local Area and Traffic
Only two roads remain closed near the scene: Everite Road and Ditchfield Road.
Drone footage captured the extensive smoke plume emanating from the recycling centre, with landmarks such as the Mersey Gateway and Runcorn Bridge visible in the distance.
The smoke was visible from locations as far as Liverpool on Monday afternoon, highlighting the fire's considerable scale.
Further Information and Contact
For those interested in local news coverage, stories from Cheshire can be accessed via the BBC, including BBC North West Tonight available on BBC . Updates are also shared on BBC North West's X account. Story ideas can be submitted via WhatsApp at 0808 100 2230.
Related Links
For more information, visit the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service website.
