Huge fire at Wing Fat supermarket - as it happened

A Wing Fat supermarket worker tells how the whole store went up in flames in 15 minutes.

The cause of the fire has not yet been established, but initial reports to the fire service suggested the roof was on fire.

One member of staff described the blaze as a ‘raging inferno’.

I was working inside and heard people shouting there was a fire”

“Then all of a sudden it became really hot and we saw smoke so we all ran outside. Within about 15 minutes the whole place had gone up. The flames were big. It was a raging inferno.

“There had been 20 pallets of cooking oil delivered recently so that will have made the fire worse.”

Beswick’s electricity’s been cut while the fire is being dealt with.

Electricity North West says a catering van will be on hand at 8PM at Wynne Close, M11 3TR, serving hot food and drinks.

Meanwhile, United Utilities engineers will remain at the site throughout the course of the evening.

A spokesperson said: “During this time, you may find that your water pressure will fluctuate or go off completely.”

These are the first images of the devastation caused after a huge fire broke out at Wing Fat cash and carry supermarket.

“Up here you can really get a sense of how big this blaze was.”

Firefighters have been up on the roof of the building to see the extent of the damage. They’ve shared this video clip from the scene.

Residents who live at numbers 405 – 423 Ashton Old Road, as well as in Blocks 1 and 2 of Synergy Flats at 425 Ashton Old Road, will not be able to return to their properties tonight due to continued smoke from the fire.

Here’s the latest from the fire service:

Anyone affected should attempt stay with friends and family - but if that’s not possible a rest centre has been set up for anybody without anywhere to stay at: The Grange Community Resource Centre Pilgrim Drive Manchester M11 3TQ.

“All other properties in the area are safe to return to.

“Firefighters will be stationed at the rear of Campbell House, Ashton Old Road to support residents with any concerns they have.

“Eight fire engines are still at the incident fighting the fire, with some crews remaining overnight.”

Here’s the latest from the fire service:

Flames and smoke continue to be battled by firefighters at Wing Fat cash and carry in Gorton.

“As there is still smoke from the fire residents are still asked to keep doors and windows closed.

“Due to the damage caused firefighters are unable to enter the building yet.

“Officers at the scene are continually assessing the incident to see whether roads can be reopened, but ask for motorists to carry on avoiding the area.”

The flames seem to be under control.

Manchester Fire Service says it could be days before they’re certain that nobody was trapped in the blaze.

When incident commander Tony Bryan was asked how long it could take to carry out a full search of the building, he said:

“We are now damping the fire down and that will be an ongoing process.

“It could take several days really to ensure, due to the amount of debris that has fallen in we have to do that via a systematic approach.”

United Utilities says some households will continue to experience issues with water pressure.

“Our inspector and the fire brigade are still onsite at Ashton Old Road near to the junction of Stainforth Street.

“Due to the large scale of the fire, water is being drawn off in order to support with fighting the fire.

“We are aware this is affecting your water supply at the moment. Our inspector will do what he can to try and maintain the water supply whilst the fire brigade work. However your water pressure may fluctuate or go off completely whilst they continue to tackle this fire.”

Here’s an update from Metrolink on the transport situation.

GMP has asked both City and Wolves fans to give themselves extra time for tonight’s Carabao Cup clash.

The fire service says it’s still hopeful that roads will be open ahead of the match.

Manchester Fire Service has shared these incredible pictures of the sun peeking through the smoke as crews continue to tackle the fire.

They’re still asking people living in the area to keep windows and doors shut.

Around 20 fire engines are still at the scene, the Fire Service says.

The building looks to have suffered extensive damage in the blaze.

Electricity North West says 439 properties are now without power.

A United Utilities spokeswoman confirmed customers living in the area are currently experiencing problems with water pressure as firefighters use the resources to tackle the blaze.

She said:

“We have got people on standby at the scene doing what they can to increase the water pressure so firefighters can use as much water as possible

“Until the fire is put out, people living nearby may experience problems with their water pressure.”

Here’s the latest statement from the fire service:

Firefighters are still on the scene at Wing Fat cash and carry in Gorton and are using one air unit, two aerial platforms, two jets and four breathing apparatus to fight the fire.

The plume of smoke from the fire has significantly reduced but residents are still asked to keep doors and windows closed.

Ashton Old Road continues to be closed and motorists are asked to avoid the area and plan ahead for their journeys.

The electricity supply has been turned off at 185 properties around the area as a safety precaution.

The supply was switched off at about 1.30pm, an Electricity North West spokeswoman confirmed.

Tony Bryan from Greater Manchester Fire Service says there will need to be a thorough search of the building - once it’s safe to do so - in order to be absolutely certain that all customers got out of the building.

See what he had to say here:

This suggests that flames are still shooting from the wrecked supermarket.

They’re doing great work.

Greater Manchester Fire Service say there have been about five people evacuated from two blocks of flats on Ashton Old Road in Beswick.

They are hoping to let people back in within the next couple of hours, but right now they may be unable to enter the flats if they return home from work

Another warning ...

Some people in the area are receiving notifications from United Utilities which warns them that they could have problems with their water supply, as a result of firefighters having to use large amounts of water to tackle the fire.

This frankly scary video, sent to us by M.E.N. reader Molly Dunn shows how dense the smoke was when the fire was at its height earlier.

Here’s the latest on the travel disruption from our traffic information partner, Inrix:

The A635 Ashton Old Road is closed in both directions, due to smoke blowing across the road and a building fire between A6010 Pottery Lane and B6469 Fairfield Street / Raven Street. There’s congestion to A57(M) Mancunian Way / A6 Downing Street / A6 London Road.

Bus services are also affected:

The @ManchesterFire Twitter account is publishing images from the scene - it’s a real insight into the work of our brave and dedicated fire crews.

Public Health England have just issued this warning - relating particularly to the smoke that’s still billowing around the area.

Greater Manchester Police have just issued this update - with a warning for those planning to go to the Man City match tonight:

Traffic for Greater Manchester says the fire is causing widespread disruption on the roads - and for public transport users.

Roads around Ashton Old Road in Beswick remain CLOSED.

People are advised to plan their journeys ahead.

Another warning to residents from the fire service:

The fire service says the Wing Fat fire remains severe.

Crews say all staff at the supermarket are accounted for but concerns remain for customers and local residents.

They’re reminding people to avoid the area.

Our reporter Katie Butler tells us the cordon has been moved back as crews at the scene are concerned the fumes may be toxic.

People are still being warned to stay indoors and keep windows and doors shut. Meanwhile, crews can be seen making their way around the scene wearing breathing masks.

Inside the cash and carry you can see the devastation the fire is causing.

Cameron Kowalski, 34, who lives near the cash and carry, has been evacuated from his house. He tells us

I went to Asda, as I was there I could smell smoke. I could see it billowing across the car park as I came back.

“The smoke was billowing close to where my house was. I am rather anxious at this point.

“The cash and carry was in flames. It was getting worse and worse.

“It is a little less now, it looks like it is under control. They closed my road off, they evacuated people opposite me.

“They then evacuated me. They did that for 20 minutes then let me come back in.”

This new video shows the huge amount of smoke coming from the site.

The M.E.N. understands that no ambulances have been called to the scene, and there are no reports of any injuries as of yet.

Our reporter Katie Butler is live on Facebook from the scene of the fire. You can watch her report HERE.

Mohammad Naem, a local resident, said:

“There is a lot of fire engines coming up the road.

“They have closed the road and have advised people to close their windows and everything.

“It looks like it is about to rain. It smells like plastic.”I can see for 100m, it is that bad I can’t see. It is getting worse, it is hard to breathe.”

The fire service has just released this statement:

At 11.23am eight crews were called to reports of a fire on Gorton Road, Manchester.

“On arrival crews found a fire on the roof and first floor of a commercial building.

“Due to a large amount of smoke in the area residents are advised to keep their doors and windows closed.

“Residents are also asked to avoid the area and not to use the road nearby – especially Gorton Road and Ashton Old Road.”

These images taken by our photographer Steve Allen show crews working at the scene.

An update from Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is expected soon.

Readers have sent us lots of images showing the scale of the fire.

These ones are from Tariq Saleem.

Greater Manchester Fire Service has tweeted this warning:

Please avoid the area around Gorton Road and Ashton Old Road in Manchester. We are currently dealing with a large fire.

Eight fire engines are attending the scene and residents have been urged to keep doors and windows closed.