“You could feel the heat coming off the fire": Staff and shoppers evacuated after 'huge' blaze sparks gas fears

Staff and shoppers were evacuated this afternoon over fears a fire could trigger a gas explosion in Stockport.

Plumes of smoke could be seen from the M60 after the blaze broke out at a commercial premises at 2:10pm this afternoon (June 5). The fire began on Higher Bury Street.

It involved ‘a large quantity of plant equipment and neighbouring outbuildings’, according to Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS). As of 4pm, the M.E.N. understands the fire has been extinguished.

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The fire sparked an evacuation of the area, leading to shoppers and staff leave as soon as they were told to go. One member of staff from a nearby business said: “We had customers in and we were told they had to evacuate.

“You could feel the heat coming off the fire, it was huge. They were concerned because there were gas cylinders there and they worried it would explode.”

A manager from KC Cars added that all the businesses were evacuated following a fire at a yard. He explained that there was some concern over “gas cylinders” at the site.

The fire in Stockport (UGC)

A spokesperson for GMFRS confirmed that three fire engines were scrambled to the blaze. In a statement, released while firefighters were at the scene, they said: “Three fire engines from Offerton, Wythenshawe and Whitehill fire stations are currently at the scene of a fire on Higher Bury Street, Stockport, involving a large quantity of plant equipment and neighbouring outbuildings.

“We received the first of several calls about the incident just before 2:10pm this afternoon. Firefighters have been tackling the blaze in sectors using jets and remain at the scene at this time.”

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