Six Fire Engines Tackle Major Blaze at Lodge Mill in Middleton
- Hopwood Radio
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Emergency services responded to a large fire at Lodge Mill in Middleton in the early hours of Sunday morning, with crews remaining at the scene for several hours as efforts to bring the incident under control continued.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) was called shortly after 5:48am on Sunday 29 March to reports of a significant blaze at a commercial building on Townley Street. Six fire engines were dispatched, along with specialist equipment, as firefighters worked to contain the flames.
The fire has caused significant damage to parts of the site, with The Ice Cream Shop at Lodge Mill understood to have been destroyed in the blaze. The loss is particularly heartbreaking given the recent investment made into the building, including new windows and solar panels, with owners having spent a substantial amount improving the premises. The destruction has been felt deeply across Middleton, where the shop was widely seen as a much-loved local gem. For many residents, it was more than just a business, it was a welcoming space at the heart of the community, making its loss all the more devastating.
A GMFRS spokesperson said:
"Shortly after 5:48am this morning (Sunday 29 March) six fire engines were called to reports of a large fire at a commercial building on Townley Street in Middleton.
Crews arrived quickly at the scene. Firefighters used a turntable ladder, hydraulic platform, multiple ground monitors and a light portable pump to extinguish the fire.
Crews have been in attendance for around five hours and twenty minutes and are still at the scene, working with colleagues from Greater Manchester Police and North West Ambulance Service to make the area safe. Residents are advised to avoid the area and to keep doors and windows shut."
Firefighters deployed aerial appliances, including a turntable ladder and hydraulic platform, alongside ground monitors and pumping equipment to tackle the blaze from multiple angles.
Police and ambulance services also attended, supporting efforts to secure the area and ensure public safety. There have been no immediate reports of casualties.
Residents living nearby have been urged to stay away from the area while emergency crews continue their work, and to keep windows and doors closed as a precaution.
Photos and Videos provided by Carl Haslam, GMFRS Station Commander for Farnworth and Bolton North fire stations.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
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