Manchester Victoria and Wigan Wallgate route suspended as smoke billows over area

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

A fire that caused a huge plume of smoke to drift over Manchester has led to disruption for commuters.



Emergency crews were called to the blaze, involving a large quantity of tyres and light goods, in Salford at 5.44am on Tuesday. The fire, in Ford Lane, blocked train lines between Manchester Victoria and Wigan Wallgate.

National Rail said disruption to services was likely to continue until 8.30am.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester fire and rescue service said: “The fire is close to the train line but is not encroaching and has also created a large plume of smoke which is drifting towards Manchester city centre.” The blaze was brought under control just after 7am.

Pictures and videos posted on social media showed the plume of black smoke.

Hendo1980 (@Hendo1980) Great big fire in Salford with loads of thick black smoke, fire brigade on hand. pic.twitter.com/RRBaweETOB

The fire service warned residents to keep windows and doors closed.

Greater Manchester police said inquiries into the circumstances of the blaze were under way and a number of road closures had been put in place.

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161-856 5127, quoting incident number 309 of 07/08/18, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.