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Smoke from 700-tonne cardboard fire seen for miles

Angela FergusonNorth West
News imageCheshire Fire and Rescue Service The front of a fire engine can be seen on the left of the image, with a large pile of cardboard on fire and large plumes of smoke billowing into the sky. A single-storey building can also be seen ablaze.Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service
The blaze has been declared a major incident, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said

Firefighters are tackling a large blaze involving about 700 tonnes of cardboard.

Smoke from the fire in Everite Road in Widnes, Cheshire, could be seen for miles and it has been declared a major incident by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service due to the size of the fire and smoke plume.

A spokesperson said no-one had been injured in the fire, which broke out in a single-storey building.

"All persons are accounted for and no casualties have been reported," they said.

"The fire has spread rapidly and is causing a heavy plume of smoke," they said.

"Owing to the risk of the building collapsing, firefighters are tackling the blaze from the exterior."

Twenty fire engines are in attendance from Cheshire, with support from crews from Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

News imageA large plume of smoke can be seen from a pavement at the side of a road in Liverpool.
Large plumes of smoke can be seen from as far afield as Liverpool

Nearby residents and businesses are advised to keep windows and doors closed.

Officers from Cheshire Police are managing traffic at the scene.

"There are no reports of any injuries at this time," a force spokesperson said.

Road closures are currently in place on Everite Road, Hale Road and Ditchfield Road, and motorists are advised to avoid the area.

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