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Oldham paper mill fire: Homes evacuated Oldham mill fire: Homes evacuated
(about 3 hours later)
Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes as 80 firefighters tackle a huge fire at a former paper mill in Oldham. Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes as 80 firefighters tackle a huge fire at a former cotton mill in Oldham.
A total of 100 homes were cleared after the fire broke out after 04:15 GMT with 10 fire engines called to the scene. A total of 100 homes were cleared when the fire broke out after 04:15 GMT with 10 fire engines called to the scene.
Fire crews later had to withdraw as part of the Cardwell Street building collapsed in the intense heat.Fire crews later had to withdraw as part of the Cardwell Street building collapsed in the intense heat.
The heat could be felt more than 1,600ft (500m) away after the fire broke out on the top floor of the mill. It took crews nearly seven hours to get the blaze under control with the heat being felt 1,600ft (500m) away.
The BBC has learnt the former textile mill is owned by kitchen businessman Vance Miller, who was the subject of a failed Trading Standards prosecution in 2010.
It was previously the base for his kitchen business.
There was a fire at Maple Mill three months ago and Manchester Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it would now be investigating the latest blaze.
The fire brigade confirmed the fire broke out on the top floor of the mill.
Read more about this story in our local live sectionRead more about this story in our local live section
The four-storey building, called Maple Mill, was hit by fire three months ago. The fire service had declared the blaze as a "major incident".
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it would be investigating the cause of the blaze.
The fire service declared the blaze as a "major incident".
Witnesses saw flames leap up to 200ft (60m) and said the front of the building had collapsed.Witnesses saw flames leap up to 200ft (60m) and said the front of the building had collapsed.
The fire service's area manager Warren Pickstone said: "Tyres are also involved in the fire so it's emitting a thick acrid smoke." The fire service's area manager Warren Pickstone said burning tyres had let off "a thick acrid smoke."
There are not thought to be any casualties but local residents have been advised to keep their doors and windows closed.There are not thought to be any casualties but local residents have been advised to keep their doors and windows closed.
A emergency "rest centre" has been set up by Oldham Council in the nearby Honeywell Centre for those residents evacuated from their homes.A emergency "rest centre" has been set up by Oldham Council in the nearby Honeywell Centre for those residents evacuated from their homes.
Eyewitness Sarah Jones told the BBC: "I was woken by two loud bangs that I thought were gunshots but they were explosions."Eyewitness Sarah Jones told the BBC: "I was woken by two loud bangs that I thought were gunshots but they were explosions."
BBC Radio Manchester presenter Mike Sweeney, who was at the scene, said: "It has lit up the whole sky.
"It is just an incredible sight - like movie special effects.
"You can see it from miles away."