Huge Blaze Erupts Behind Altrincham Retail Park
A massive fire ripped through a scrap yard behind the Boots store at Altrincham Retail Park in Greater Manchester this afternoon. Thick black smoke billowed sky-high, causing alarm among shoppers and residents nearby.
Scrap Yard Fire Sparks Panic
The blaze broke out just after midday on Craven Road, with flames engulfing several vehicles at the scrap yard behind the retail complex. Although the Boots pharmacy and surrounding shops remain untouched by fire, the towering smoke gave the impression the entire retail park was ablaze.
Footage from the scene showed a dense cloud of smoke visible for miles, drifting over car parks and local roads, sparking concern and emergency calls.
Firefighters Race to Contain Flames
The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) responded quickly, dispatching four fire engines from Stretford, Altrincham, Sale and Wythenshawe, plus an aerial appliance from Manchester Central.
“Around midday today, firefighters were called to reports of a fire at a commercial property on Craven Road in Altrincham. A number of vehicles had caught fire at a scrap yard,” a GMFRS spokesperson said.
Fire crews are battling the inferno using truck-mounted ladders, spraying water from outside the site’s perimeter fence to prevent the flames from spreading.
Residents Told to Keep Indoors
Emergency services have urged people living and working nearby to keep all doors and windows shut while firefighting efforts continue. There have been no reported injuries so far.
The cause of the fire remains unknown as firefighters remain on the scene, working to bring the blaze under control. GMFRS promises to update the public as the situation develops.
