People have been told to shelter indoors and close their windows as footage showed a vicious orange blaze ripping through a warehouse in Wythenshawe, Manchester
Explosions have been heard after a massive blaze broke out above a Manchester town, with a column of thick smoke seen emanating from a local warehouse.
Locals living in Wythenshawe have posted footage showing an orange glow emanating from what appears to be a warehouse this morning. One social media posting on X, formerly Twitter, reported visible smoke and explosions "popping off" at a "battery recycling facility" at a Wythenshawe battery recycling facility.
They said: "Reports of a huge fire at a battery recycling facility on the Roundthorn Ind Estate in Baguley/Wythenshawe. Smoke visible and explosions popping off are audible from Altrincham, 2-3 miles away and a smell in the air." Other members of the public reported hearing "explosions all morning", and have been advised to shelter indoors.
Big fire at what looks to be Kerry Logistics in Wythenshawe, Manchester @KerryLogistics @MENnewsdesk @visit_mcr pic.twitter.com/yFw98GK0gJ
— James Coates (@jcoatesuk) February 23, 2025
One local, Lisa Baines, said the explosions had alarmed her so much that she thought Britain might have been going to war with Russia on Sunday morning. She commented: "Nothing like being woken up on a Sunday morning by loads of explosions. Thought Putin had come for us."
Dramatic videos posted online show black smoke billowing into the atmosphere above the estate, almost concealing the orange glow of the flames. Additional pictures show emergency service having arrived at the scene, with police cars parked outside the estate. Witnesses reported hearing the first "explosions" at around 8.30am before they saw the smoke emerging from the warehouse site.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue has asked people living nearby the incident area to close their doors and windows as they tackle the flames, and to avoid the area. A spokesperson for the service said: "Firefighters are currently tackling a fire involving heavy goods vehicles on Ennis Close, Manchester. Nearby residents are advised to keep their windows and doors closed and to avoid the area."
Traffic reporting system Inrix indicates that Floats Road has since closed in both directions due to the fire, with further closures from Ledson Road to Claverton Road. In an additional statement, the service said they are responding to a fire involving "heavy goods vehicles" this morning.
A spokesperson for GMFRS said: "Shortly after 8.15am on Sunday 23 February, 10 fire appliances from across Greater Manchester were called to attend a fire involving heavy goods vehicles on Ennis Close, Manchester. Crews arrived quickly and are working hard to extinguish the fire. Several nearby properties have been evacuated.
"Greater Manchester Police and North West Ambulance Service are also in attendance."
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