A fire that broke out at a recycling centre on Everite Road in Widnes was declared a major incident on Monday, June 22. Around 450 tons of waste cardboard inside a single-storey building ignited, producing heavy plumes of smoke visible from as far as the Silver Jubilee Bridge, the Knowsley Expressway, Speke, West Derby, Mossley Hill, Huyton, Page Moss, Liverpool city centre, Bickerstaffe, Lytham in Lancashire, and north Wales.
Massive Response from Fire Services
Eight fire engines were initially dispatched when the blaze was reported around 4:30 pm, but within an hour the number grew to 20 engines. Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service received support from Lancashire and Greater Manchester crews. By 5:30 pm, the fire service warned that the building was at risk of collapsing, urging nearby residents and businesses to keep windows and doors closed.
Multiple road closures were implemented, and drivers were asked to avoid the area. All persons were accounted for, and no injuries were reported. The ECHO received numerous photos and videos from readers showing the smoke plume from various locations.
Police and Community Response
Superintendent Sam Billington of Cheshire Police said, “A large number of officers are in attendance at the scene to manage road closures and provide reassurance to the community. While our colleagues from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service tackle the fire, we would urge residents in the nearby area to follow their advice and stay indoors with their windows and doors closed at this time. I would also ask people not to congregate at the scene as it could hamper our response to this incident.”
Relief crews were expected to arrive and continue fighting the fire into the night. The smoke was visible from multiple locations, including the Liver Building, Speke Retail Park, and even from a train in Mostyn, North Wales. Drone images captured by Ian Cank Aerial Photography showed flames at the heart of the blaze.
