UPDATED: INVESTIGATIONS are ongoing following a large fire at an industrial unit at Fiddlers Ferry Power Station, near Penketh, Warrington, on Thursday afternoon, although it is believed to have been started accidentally.
Fire engines from Penketh, Widnes, Runcorn, Lymm, Birchwood, Frodsham, Chester, Northwich, Congleton, Middlewich, Ellesmere Port and St. Helens (Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service) attended at the scene, supported by an aerial ladder platform, a high reach extendable turret, a high volume pump and a command unit.
As a precaution, residents living nearby were advised to keep windows and doors closed while the incident continued.
The A562 Widnes Road was closed eastbound from Dan’s Road Roundabout in Widnes towards Warrington, but has since re-opened.
The incident was reported shortly before 1pm.
Fiddlers Ferry Power station is decomissioned with demolition and clearance works are ongoing on site.
UPDATE at 14:00: Everyone on site was accounted for. Crews established inner and outer cordons, secured a water supply, and confirmed that the fire appeared to be contained within a chimney area.
UPDATE 14:30: The aerial ladder platform was used to get water to the area and the high reach extendable turret wasset up. Cheshire Police supported road closures and the outer safety cordon. The St Helens fire engine was released from the incident.
UPDATE 15:00: The road was reopened, and crews were making good progress in fully extinguishing the fire. Seven fire engines and specialist equipment remained at the scene.
UPDATE 15:50: Five fire engines remained in attendance along with the ALP and the HRET. It is expected there will be some fire and rescue service presence at this incident overnight.
UPDATE 16:45: Fire and rescue attendance will shortly reduce to two fire engines, the HRET and a high volume pump. Crews are working alongside site personnel to deconstruct the unit and damp down.
UPDATE 09:00 on Friday, 16 September | Crews remain at the scene. Areas of the building were removed, allowing the HRET to continue dampening down. Thermal imaging cameras were used to check for hotspots. Relief crews are in place.
UPDATE 09:30: Investigations are still ongoing, however it is believed the fire started accidentally.
UPDATE 13:30: Work is progressing well to remove the tower roof, allowing a drone to check for fire hotspots.
