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At least 'four people trapped' after explosion and fire at Cheshire flour mill Cheshire flour mill explosion: Major incident declared after at least 'four people trapped' in fire
(about 1 hour later)
At least four people are believed to be trapped after an explosion and fire broke out in a flour mill in Cheshire. At least four people are believed to be trapped after two explosions and fire broke out in a flour mill in Cheshire - with emergency services warning there could be further explosions.
Cheshire police have tweeted that a major incident has been declared as they warn people to shut their windows and doors due to smoke from the Wood Flour Mills site, south of Macclesfield. Cheshire police have declared a major incident with 15 fire engines and aproximately 70 firefighters from Cheshire Fire and Emergency services at the Wood Flour Mills site, in Bosley, south of Macclesfield.
A spokesperson from Cheshire East council told ITV that there are “multiple casualties” and “reports up to five people are trapped in the building, which is on fire.” Multiple casualties have been reported, with West Midlands Ambulance Service confirming to The Independent that so far one person had been airlifted to Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester suffering from burns. Another person has been taken by ambulance to the Royal Stoke University Hospital.
10 fire engines from Cheshire Fire and Emergency services and an air ambulance are attending the scene. Emergency services continue to battle the flames with reports that the four-storey building has collapsed.
In a statement Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters are dealing with a "dangerous situation as they cannot rule out further explosions."
#Bosley woodtreatment explosion view from home. pic.twitter.com/THFcUwbY1i
"The incident involves the collapse of a four storey building. There is a fully developed fire in several areas."
First photo the scene at Bosley *bosleyincident pic.twitter.com/VZwzQyX2dc
It is believed that as many as four people may still be in the wood treatment plant, Cheshire police confirmed to The Independent.  However, the "vast majority" of staff at the factory are believed to be safe.
Eyewitness Charli Alston, 18, described "massive plumes of flames," reaching into the sky and hearing a "huge bang" as she walked her dog nearby this morning.
"I was walking down my drive and there was just a huge bang. It sounded like a thunder cloud, we didn't know what it was because it was sunny then.
"We looked over and there were massive plumes of flames. Almost as high as the hill next to it," Ms Alton, a student, told ITV.
Will Barratt, from Bosley, told The Independent that the "house shook" after the "multiple" explosions.
#bosley pic.twitter.com/OZa0lH2xwN
There are “multiple casualties,” according to the council's statement, and local residents have been warned to keep their doors and windows shut to avoid inhaling the clouds of smoke from the on-going fires.
Cheshire Fire & Rescue: incident at mill involves collapse of 4-storey building & risk of further explosions. pic.twitter.com/N2UQSjx4SZ
Fire officials were called to the scene at around 9.10am this morning, with fire engines from Congleton, Bollington, Winsford, Crewe and Macclesfield being drawn onto the rescue operation. There has also been aerial assistance from Macclesfield and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
North West Ambulance Service have despatched at least six ambulances, two rapid response vehicles, two doctors, four managers, Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) and air ambulance to the the Bosley mill.
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