Blaze takes hold of 450 tonnes of waste as smoke seen for miles

Blaze takes hold of 450 tonnes of waste as smoke seen for miles reports a major fire at a recycling facility in Widnes that involved 450 tonnes of waste and triggered widespread disruption. Fire crews from Merseyside, Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Lancashire were called shortly before 4:30pm on June 22 to Everite Road, where explosions were reportedly heard and a major incident was declared. The fire service said the major incident was stood down shortly before midnight, but firefighters remained overnight using water jets to cool burning debris. By around 04:00, the response was scaled back to three fire engines and three special appliances from Cheshire plus one special appliance from Greater Manchester. Roads near the site were expected to remain closed for “some time,” with officials urging drivers to check routes. Witness accounts cited loud bangs, heavy smoke across Liverpool, and reports of ash falling nearby on Coronation Drive. Additional road closures were listed through Monday evening.