Crews battle recycling plant fire

MAJOR DEPLOYMENT . . . the scene on Mossdown Road in Heyside.

FIREFIGHTERS remained at the scene of an Oldham recycling plant fire this morning after a blaze took hold last night.

Emergency crews were sent to the Connell Group recycling site at Mossdown Road in Heyside just after 7pm last night.

Seven fire engines and an aerial appliance were used to tackle a waste fire that spread to a nearby building.

Smoke could be seen drifting across surrounding areas and Greater Manchester Police issued advice to residents, urging them to keep windows and doors closed, and told motorists to avoid the area.

A police spokesman said: "There is a large smoke plume but there is nothing hazardous being released as a result of this fire."

Crews from Chadderton, Oldham and Hollins fire stations attended the blaze.

One spokesman said: "It wasn't a huge fire but it burnt for a long time."

Investigations are under way into the cause of the blaze.