POLICE are seeking witnesses after a disused building in Warrington town centre was destroyed by a fierce blaze.
At around 1pm today, Monday 14 April, police were informed of a fire at an unoccupied building on Barbauld Street, Warrington.
Police officers at the scene assisted with road closures on Barbauld Street, Sankey Street, Bridge Street and Paper Lane whilst Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service extinguished the fire, supported by fire crews from Greater Manchester and Merseyside.
There were no reports of any injuries and residents within the vicinity of the area were advised to keep all windows and doors closed.
Anyone with any information about the incident should call Cheshire Constabulary on 101, quoting IML 2069367, or give the details via https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report.
Update at 17:35: The incident was reduced to four fire engines, the aerial ladder platform and the High Reach Extending Turret. Road closures remain in place at this time and local residents are asked to keep windows and doors closed for the time being.
Update at 19:25: The fire was now under control and the smoke plume had reduced considerably. One fire engine and an aerial ladder platform are likely to stay at the scene overnight.
Road closures remain in place on Barbauld Street, Bridge Street and Cairo Street.
The blaze at the former Cotton Mill/Cocktail premises coincided with the 10th anniversary of the fire that destroyed the old Mr Smith’s nightclub building.
Update at 09:00 Tuesday: Firefighters are still on scene and continuing to dampen down the area with a hose reel jet. This has been reduced to one fire engine.
Picture Cheshire Fire
