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Historic mill blaze probe begins Historic mill blaze probe begins
(about 6 hours later)
A major investigation is under way after a fire destroyed a historic mill in Greater Manchester causing the evacuation of about 200 people. A major investigation is under way into the cause of a fire which has destroyed a historic mill in Greater Manchester.
About 60 firefighters tackled the blaze, at Maple Mill in Groby Street, Hathershaw, Oldham, on Tuesday night. The blaze at Maple Mill in Hathershaw, Oldham, started on Tuesday night and is still being tackled by fire crews.
About 200 residents have been forced to leave their homes, with the area immediately around the fire and nearby streets cordoned off.
It is believed to have started when a diesel generator exploded, causing fire to spread to gas canisters nearby.It is believed to have started when a diesel generator exploded, causing fire to spread to gas canisters nearby.
Fire group commander Billy Myers said the blaze had destroyed the mill and residents were still not allowed home. The mill was built more than 100 years ago and is said to be one of the largest remaining former cotton mills in the north of England.
It was a very, very severe blaze, luckily we managed to contain it Billy Myers, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Neighbouring streets have been cordoned off
About 130 workers and dozens of residents were told to leave their properties while firefighters tackled the blaze. Billy Myers, of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said the heat from the blaze was "very, very intense".
Maple Mill was built more than 100 years ago and is said to be one of the largest remaining cotton mills in the north of England. It is now home to a kitchen manufacturer. "The residents are being accommodated at Hathershaw School while we investigate the cause of the fire and make sure the area is safe for people to return to."
"The heat radiating from the blaze was very intense and we feared that it would damage houses nearby," Mr Myers said. Earlier, nearby resident Louisa Price told the BBC: "It started off very black, oily and greasy, immediately followed by a series of explosions - about nine or 10."
"The residents are being accommodated at Hathershaw School while we investigate the cause of the fire and make the area is safe for people to return to. A joint police and fire service investigation is under way into the cause of the fire.
"It was a very, very severe blaze, luckily we managed to contain it." Insp Elwyn Jones, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "The building is still alight and we believe it is structurally unsound, so it is clearly unsafe.
Series of explosions "I want to remind people that the cordon remains in place for their safety.
A fire and police investigation has started into the cause of the fire. "The fire is not expected to be extinguished for some time so the road closures will remain in place.
Mr Myers added: "We are waiting until the building has cooled down and the area has been checked, it is is still quite dangerous." "I appreciate it must be upsetting for people to be asked to leave their home, but we cannot take any unnecessary risks."
Earlier, nearby resident Louisa Price told the BBC she was anxious about the size of the blaze.
"It started off very black, oily and greasy, immediately followed by a series of explosions - about nine or 10," she said.
"We got all the kids inside the house... and then it just turned into chaos. The smoke came down and I can't see Maple Mill at all now."