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Homes evacuated over mill blaze Homes evacuated over mill blaze
(about 8 hours later)
About 60 firefighters are tackling a large fire following an explosion at a mill in Oldham. About 60 firefighters tackled a large fire following an explosion at a mill in Oldham.
Residents have reported a number of blasts coming from the blaze at Maple Mill in Groby Street, Hathershaw. Residents reported a number of blasts coming from the blaze at Maple Mill in Groby Street, Hathershaw.
Fire crews were called to the scene on Tuesday evening and evacuated the former cotton mill and nearby houses because of gas canisters on the site.Fire crews were called to the scene on Tuesday evening and evacuated the former cotton mill and nearby houses because of gas canisters on the site.
Residents in nearby Cardwell Street have been asked to leave their homes and a police cordon is in place. Residents in nearby Cardwell Street were asked to leave their homes and a police cordon was in place.
Neighbouring roads, including Edith Street and Dowry Street, have also been sealed off as a precaution. Neighbouring roads, including Edith Street and Dowry Street, were also sealed off as a precaution.
Residents are being urged to stay indoors with their windows and doors shut. Residents were being urged to stay indoors with their windows and doors shut.
It started off very black, oily and greasy, immediately followed by a series of explosions - about nine or 10 Louisa Price, residentIt started off very black, oily and greasy, immediately followed by a series of explosions - about nine or 10 Louisa Price, resident
Firefighters believe the blaze started outside the mill following an explosion in a diesel generator.Firefighters believe the blaze started outside the mill following an explosion in a diesel generator.
Group commander Billy Myers, of Greater Manchester Fire Service, said there had been "quite a large explosion".Group commander Billy Myers, of Greater Manchester Fire Service, said there had been "quite a large explosion".
"The fire is still raging inside the mill itself but we're finding it very difficult gaining access," he said. "Initial indications suggest there was an explosion in a diesel generator which then set fire to some pallets, which then set fire to some propane cylinders," he said.
"Initial indications suggest there was an explosion in a diesel generator which then set fire to some pallets, which then set fire to some propane cylinders."
Mr Myers said the blaze itself was largely under control, but that smoke was causing problems in the area.
Historic millHistoric mill
Earlier, nearby resident Louisa Price told the BBC she was anxious about the size of the blaze.Earlier, nearby resident Louisa Price told the BBC she was anxious about the size of the blaze.
"It started off very black, oily and greasy, immediately followed by a series of explosions - about nine or 10," she said."It started off very black, oily and greasy, immediately followed by a series of explosions - about nine or 10," she said.
"We got all the kids inside the house... and then it just turned into chaos. The smoke came down and I can't see Maple Mill at all now.""We got all the kids inside the house... and then it just turned into chaos. The smoke came down and I can't see Maple Mill at all now."
Maple Mill was built more than 100 years ago and is said to be one of the largest remaining cotton mills in the north of England. Maple Mill was built more than 100 years ago and is said to be one of the largest remaining cotton mills in the north of England. It is now home to a kitchen manufacturer.
It is now home to a kitchen manufacturer.
Fire investigators are already at the scene and a full investigation into the cause of the blaze will start once the flames are out.