Firefighters from across Greater Manchester were deployed on Friday evening to tackle a large open waste fire in the Smallbridge area of Rochdale, sending a thick plume of smoke across surrounding neighbourhoods.
Incident and emergency response
The alarm was raised at about 8.15pm on Friday, 24 July, when reports of a significant blaze at Spring Mill Walk prompted a multiple-appliance response. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) confirmed six fire engines were at the scene, using hose reel jets and specialist equipment to bring the fire under control.
Photographs and video shared on social media showed a large, black cloud of smoke rising from the site and drifting over parts of Rochdale. No injuries have been reported publicly at this stage.
Advice for residents
Given the volume of smoke, fire service crews issued a safety advisory to nearby households. Residents in the vicinity were told to close doors and windows to reduce smoke ingress until the situation is resolved and air quality improves.
“Shortly after 8.15pm on Friday 24 July, six fire appliances from across Greater Manchester were called to attend a large waste fire on Spring Mill Walk, Rochdale. Crews arrived quickly and remain at the scene, using hose reel jets and specialist equipment to extinguish the fire. Residents who live nearby are asked to close their windows and doors due to smoke in the area.”
The safeguarding message underlines the immediate public health considerations when waste fires burn in the open, as smoke can carry fine particles and odours that aggravate respiratory conditions.
What we know so far
- Location: Spring Mill Walk, Smallbridge, Rochdale
- Time reported: approx. 20:15, 24 July 2026
- Resources at scene: six fire engines from GMFRS
- Public advice: keep doors and windows closed while crews work
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Type of incident | Large open waste fire |
| Appliances attending | Six fire engines |
| Reported time | c. 8.15pm, 24 July 2026 |
Rochdale residents affected by smoke should monitor local news and official GMFRS updates for further instructions. If you suffer from respiratory conditions such as asthma or COPD and experience difficulty breathing, seek medical advice promptly. Where safe to do so, consider reducing outdoor activity until clear-up and damping-down operations are complete.
InfoRadar will continue to follow this developing incident and will publish further details as emergency services release them.
