A huge blaze which tore through a warehouse in Denton is now under control, the fire service has confirmed.
Hundreds of firefighters tackled the enormous fire at the three-storey building on Holland Street on Sunday evening and through the night.
Greater Manchester Police declared the blaze a 'major incident' as a number of homes had to be evacuated and people in the area were told to keep windows and doors closed.
The M67 motorway had to be closed in both directions as thick, black smoke was visible for miles around.
Police and paramedics were also called to the scene but there have been no reports of injuries.
The fire service has now confirmed that the blaze is under control.
In an update issued late on Sunday, a spokesperson said firefighters had worked tirelessly to extinguish the blaze.
Seven fire engines and two aerial appliances remained at the scene overnight to monitor the incident.
Residents that were evacuated are now able to return home and the large smoke plume has subsided.
All road closures have now been lifted but residents are still being asked to avoid the area.
Area Manager Stewart Forshaw said: “Thanks to the tireless and professional work of our firefighters we are now in control of this incident.
“I would also like to thank the local community for their support and co-operation on what has been a difficult day.
“Crews will remain at the scene overnight monitoring the incident and extinguishing the pockets of fire that remain.”
As crews battled the fire on Sunday, a number of M.E.N readers took to our Facebook page to express fears that items they have stored at the warehouse will be lost.
One woman wrote: "We have everything in there, everything!
"All our photos and memories and my mum's whole life was in that place, we couldn’t move it because of covid and now it’s all gone."
Another woman wrote: "I just want to cry we've just put everything in there ready to move house.
"Also my partner didn't take out insurance. I have no words."
Donna Hilton, 47, from Droylsden, fears she has lost treasured family photos, jewellery and letters in the fire.
Alongside a sofa and other items, she also keeps small boxes of items of sentimental value in a unit in the warehouse.
Among them are photographs of her late parents, ex-serviceman Vincent and Evelyn.
Tearful Donna told the M.E.N : "I'm just feeling numb at the moment. It's just disbelief. I can't imagine anything will come out of that."
