Residents who were evacuated after an enormous mill fire in Tameside face several more days out of their homes.
Fire crews are continuing to damp down the steaming wreckage of Oxford Mills in Ashton as they are gradually demolished in a huge operation which began last night.
Twenty firefighters, four fire engines and other specialist vehicles continue to work preventing pockets of fire reigniting today.
A huge blaze ripped through three buildings at the historic site which sits on the banks on of the Ashton Canal and dates back to 1845, at around 3pm on Tuesday afternoon.
Around 50 residents living on Gibson Terrace, off Stockport Road, which faced the mills, were evacuated as the fire took hold and the burning buildings began collapsing.
Roughly half went to stay with family or friends whilst 23 were taken to a rest centre in neighbouring Audenshaw.
They were transferred to temporary accommodation provided by housing association Jigsaw Homes yesterday evening.
And they hoped to return today now the fire is under control.
However Tameside Council said the area "remains a hazard" and as a result they are likely have to stay away for several more days.
Council leader Brenda Warrington said: “We are working closely with the mill owners and the fire service to ensure the swift and safe demolition of the building, which started last night and continues today.
“This demolition work, which is being carried out in close partnership with the fire service as they continue to put out the fire, is critical to making the area safe for the residents of Gibson Terrace to be able to return home.
"For now, however, this remains a hazard site and it isn’t anticipated that the residents will be able to return within the next few days.
"In the meantime the residents who are not staying with friends and family have been moved from the emergency rest centre and are being well supported in temporary accommodation provided by Jigsaw Homes."
Because the buildings are structurally unsafe fire crews have been unable to go inside and so the investigation into what caused the blaze has not yet started the M.E.N has been told.
Around half a dozen businesses were hit in the blaze.
One of those, Ashton Powder Coating said on their Facebook page today that they would be "closed indefinitely."
They said on Wednesday: "Unfortunately yesterday afternoon Ashton Powder Coating Ltd and surrounding businesses were affected by a serious fire. Due to the size and nature of the fire, we are now closed indefinitely.
"This is an extremely difficult moment for us and our staff who have been so loyal over the years.
"Our customers have always been second to none and many of which have been with us from the start, thank you all for the support you have been sending through the night."
Several other business owners, stood watching the fire fighting attempts at the cordon yesterday told the M.E.N they had begun speaking to their insurers but were unsure how they were going to be able to get themselves back on their feet.
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Coun Warrington said: "Our staff are also contacting businesses that were based in the affected building to offer support, such as help to find alternative premises.
“We’re pleased with the great progress that’s been made so far, which is a testament to the effective and coordinated approach of all partners, and I would like to thank everyone involved for their efforts.”
A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "Four fire engines remain at the site in Ashton-under-Lyne after a large fire broke out just after 3pm on Tuesday 6 August.
"Firefighters are continuing to ‘damp down’ the site."
