- Fire at the Viridor Works industrial plant in Bolton broke out just before 5pm
- Huge plume of smoke seen over the town
- Roof of the plant has fallen in due to the blaze
More than 90 firefighters are battling a massive fire at an industrial plant in Bolton.
The fire broke out in the Thermal Recovery Facility (TRF) just before 5pm today at the Viridor Works on the Raikes Lane Industrial Estate, with a plume of smoke spread across the town.
A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: ‘The first engine there was from Bolton Central station, the officer in charge immediately asked for eight further appliances and two aerial appliances.’
Around 15 fire appliances could be seen attending the blaze at 5.30pm.
More than 90 firefighters are battling a massive fire at an industrial plant in Bolton
According to Manchester Evening News, the fire is believed to have started inside the TRF.
The facility helps generates power for the National Grid by burning waste at high temperatures, turning carbon and hydrogen into carbon dioxide and water.
Powerful Scandinavian extinguishers were requested by emergency services to help them blast through doors and walls.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service say most of the fire has been put out but crews remain at the scene.
The fire reached spread to an area of 50 metres by 20 metres and was spotted across three floors of the plant.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is not thought to start until at least tomorrow, when the area is deemed safe.
A Viridor spokesman confirmed no one had been killed or injured in the blaze.
They added: ‘Viridor staff at the Bolton Thermal Recovery Facility at Raikes Lane discovered a fire at the site at approximately 4.30pm today and alerted the fire service.
The fire broke out just before 5pm today at the Viridor Works on the Raikes Lane Industrial Estate
‘Emergency procedures at the plant, which is manned 24 hours a day seven days a week, were implemented and the fire was extinguished two hours later.
‘No one was injured.
‘The Environment Agency have been notified, the cause of the fire will be investigated and the extent of the damage will be assessed.
‘The fire did not affect the recycling centre at Hurstwood Court.’