Firefighters spend night extinguishing waste blaze in Smallbridge
Fire crews from Greater Manchester attended a significant waste fire on Spring Mill Walk in the Smallbridge area of Rochdale after being called at about 8.15pm on Friday, 24 July. Dramatic plumes of black smoke were captured on social media and reported to be visible from across the town as the fire spread through a large quantity of stored material.
Six fire engines went to the scene and crews worked throughout the night to bring the blaze under control. Operations were reduced the following morning but firefighters remained on site to tackle remaining hotspots and to assist the Environment Agency with safety measures.
- Location: Spring Mill Walk, Smallbridge, Rochdale
- Call time: around 8.15pm on Friday 24 July
- Fire service response: six fire engines; overnight attendance
“Crews worked through the night to extinguish the waste fire on Spring Mill Walk, Rochdale. Operations have now been scaled back but firefighters remain at the scene on Saturday morning, dampening down hotspots and working alongside the Environment Agency to make the area safe.”
The presence of the Environment Agency indicates officials were assessing environmental risk as firefighting operations continued. Local residents reported seeing heavy smoke; the fire service update confirms that the incident required extended resources beyond initial attendance.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Incident type | Waste fire |
| Initial attendance | Six fire engines |
| Timescale | From ~8.15pm Friday; crews remained into Saturday morning |
At this stage the fire service statement does not detail any injuries or the precise cause of the blaze. Investigations and safety checks involving the Environment Agency are under way to ensure there is no ongoing risk to nearby homes or the local environment.
Residents concerned about smoke or potential pollution should follow official advice from emergency services and the Environment Agency. Local people seeking updates can watch for further statements from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service as crews conclude damping-down work and hand over to regulatory partners.
The incident adds to recent local concerns about the storage and disposal of waste in and around Rochdale; any subsequent findings from the investigation may inform future enforcement or planning decisions in the area.
