Over 70 firefighters have been tackling a huge fire at Wilmslow Garden Centre.
Just after 5.30 am this morning, Wednesday June 29th, crews were called to reports of smoke coming from Wilmslow Garden Centre on Manchester Road.
Firefighters from Wilmslow were first on the scene and discovered a well-developed fire involving greenhouses on the site. The fire had spread to a total of four greenhouses, each measuring around 40 metres by 20 metres and 15 pumps, with two hydraulic platforms were sent to the scene together with other specialist support vehicles.
Crews were able to remove a quantity of fireworks from a store to prevent a possible explosion, while they also cooled down a number of gas cylinders in the premises.
Firefighters were able to surround the fire and prevent it spreading to nearby premises. Shortly after 8 am the incident began to be scaled down with the number of pumps reduced to eight.
Emergency services remain at the scene tending to the blaze. The cause of the fire is not yet known.
Manchester Road is closed in both directions at its junction with B5358 Station Road, and also at its junction with Stanneylands Road/Dean Row Road.
These road closures are expected to last until at least midday and will impact on all traffic in and around Wilmslow. Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes where possible.
Update: We have since visited the scene of the fire and published an update on the situation 'Garden Centre fire causes extensive damage'.
Photo credit: James Gribben
