Businesses evacuated amid fears of explosion after 'huge' fire involving gas cylinders

Staff and shoppers were told to leave the area when the fire broke out yesterday

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Several businesses had to be evacuated amid fears of an explosion when gas cylinders caught fire in Stockport.

Staff and shoppers were told to leave the area after the fire broke out at a business in Higher Bury Street on Monday afternoon (June 5). The blaze also involved ‘a large quantity of plant equipment and neighbouring outbuildings’, firefighters said.

Plumes of smoke could be seen from the M60 after the blaze broke out at a commercial premises at 2.10pm.

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One member of staff at a business in the area said: "We had customers in and we were told they had to evacuate.

"You could feel the heat coming off the fire, it was huge. They were concerned because there were gas cylinders there and they worried it would explode."

A manager from KC Autos on Water Street added that all the businesses were evacuated following the fire.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: "Just before 2:10pm yesterday (Monday 5 June) we received the first of several calls about a fire at a commercial premises on Higher Bury Street, Stockport, which involved a large quantity of plant equipment, a number of gas cylinders, and nearby outbuildings.

"Three fire engines from Offerton, Wythenshawe and Whitehill fire stations were quickly mobilised to the scene. An evacuation of neighbouring premises was carried out as a precaution and a cordon was established, and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus tackled the blaze in sectors using jets and a hose reel.

"Crews remained at the scene for just over three hours."

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