Fire crews remain at the scene of a derelict building ravaged by a blaze - and are likely to stay 'for days' according to fire service chiefs.
Firefighters were called to Meek Street in Royton at around 6.30pm on Sunday, May 16, where they found a derelict property, along with 'bales of recycling materials' both inside and outside, 'well alight'.
Residents were told to keep their windows and doors shut as a huge plume of smoke billowed into the air, and the area was cordoned off by emergency services.
Firefighters are now damping down the scene and working with the building owner to remove the materials in order to 'tackle the deep seated hotspots'.
No nearby businesses have been affected, according to the fire service, but firefighters say they expect to be at the scene 'for a number of days' while they deal with the fallout from the incident.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: "On 16th May just after 6.30pm, four fire engines from Oldham, Chadderton, Hollins and Rochdale, the Aerial Appliance from Manchester Central, Hydraulic Platform from Oldham, and the Command Unit from Rochdale attended a fire involving a derelict property on Meek Street, Royton.
"Crews quickly arrived at the scene and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reels and six jets to extinguish the fire.
"Since 8am on 17th May, the hydraulic platform from Oldham has joined the two remaining fire engines at the scene, in order to damp down the exposed roof space.
"External and internal waste continues to be damped down and removed from inside the building. Crews remain at the scene.”
The formal cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed.
