Massive fire engulfs Altrincham shopping centre as plume of smoke billows into sky prompting huge emergency response

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AN ENORMOUS fire has engulfed a retail park sending plumes of smoke into the sky, sparking a huge emergency response.

Onlookers have spotted grey smoke rolling out over stores near Altrincham retail park in Broadheath, Manchester, with eyewitnesses describing it as a “large fire”.

Shopping center with large fire in background. — Huge plumes have smoke have been seen in Broadheath, Manchester

Large plume of black smoke rising above a retail park. — Fire services have warned residents to shut their windows due to the heavy smoke

Firefighter on a ladder truck at a fire near a retail park. — A firefighters tackled the blaze from a cherry picker

The dark clouds of smoke, which appear to be coming from a nearby building, can be seen moving over lines of cars.

Emergency service vehicles have been seen racing to tackle the blaze after reports of a fire came in at midday.

Four engines rushed to the site where multiple cars had caught fire at a scrap yard, according to Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS).

Residents have been urged by the fire safety service to keep doors and windows shut due to “heavy smoke” in the area

An eyewitness who caught shocking footage of the shocking posted the video, writing: “Fire, what looks to be at Davidson’s in Altrincham Retail park.”

Another user on X wrote that “you can see it from Woodheys” which is over a mile away.

Those in the area spotted fire crews using a cherry picker to extinguish the flames.

A spokesperson for GMFRS told The Sun: “At around midday today (Saturday, 22 March), firefighters were called to reports of a fire at a commercial property on Craven Road in Altrincham.

“Four fire engines from Stretford, Altrincham, Sale and Wythenshawe fire stations, along with the aerial appliance from Manchester Central fire station quickly arrived at the scene, where a number of vehicles had caught fire at a scrap yard.

“Firefighters remain at the scene as they work to extinguish the fire, and ask residents to keep doors and windows closed.!

The Sun has reached out to Greater Manchester Police for a comment.

Large plume of black smoke billowing over a Wren Kitchens store. — Fire services were called at midday with reports of a fire

Large plume of black smoke rising near Altrincham Retail Park. — The fire is thought to have originated in a scrap yard

Fire trucks responding to a large fire near a retail park. — Four fire engines from Stretford, Altrincham, Sale and Wythenshawe fire stations were called in

Fire trucks responding to a fire. — The smoke can be seen from over a mile away, according to reports on social media

Large fire at a scrap yard near a retail park. — Onlookers described the blaze as a “large fire” at a scrap yard

Firefighters at a retail park fire. — Cops said police tape has been put up around a commercial property