Emergency services responded to a “major incident” on 9 August 2024 after a fire broke out at a disused building in Crewe, leading to neighbouring properties being evacuated
At its height, 15 fire appliances attended the blaze, with crews mobilised from Nantwich, Audlem, Winsford, Crewe, Northwich, Staffordshire, and the West Midlands. On arrival, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) said they found the site of the former printing firm, Communisis, measuring approximately 70m x 90m, “well alight”.
Firefighters wore breathing apparatus and used hose reel jets to dampen the flames as quickly as possible. Additional special appliances were also deployed, including an aerial ladder platform and scorpion to tackle the fire from above, and a water bowser and a high-volume pump.
Officers from Cheshire Police were also on hand to set up a cordon while firefighters dealt with the incident. At the time, Superintendent Claire Jesson said: “I’d like to reassure local residents that this is believed to be an isolated incident, which is not linked to the recent disorder we’ve seen elsewhere in the county.
“A large number of officers are in attendance at the scene to manage road closures and provide reassurance to the community.”
As reported by the Metro, up to 250 nearby homes were evacuated as a precautionary measure, and 150 homes were left without electricity.
“A number of gardens of surrounding properties have been affected by the fire,” CFRS confirmed. In another update, the service added that an electrical substation near to the disused building was “also affected by the large fire so electricity to some neighbouring properties has been affected”.
With crews continuing to work at the scene overnight, Cheshire East Council set up a rest centre for those residents who were unable to return to their homes due to the “smoke plume”. Superintendent Jesson added: “I’d like to thank residents for their patience while emergency services continue to work tirelessly at the scene.
“We understand people will want to get back into their properties as soon as they can, and we are all working hard to ensure that it is safe for you to do so. Agencies will continue to work with displaced residents to keep them updated as to when they can return.”
On the afternoon of 10 August, CFRS confirmed that the fire had been extinguished, but crews were “continuing to dampen down and cool any hotspots”.
In an update two days after the fire broke out, Cheshire East Council said: “We are now able to access some of the surrounding area to begin to undertake an assessment as well as bringing in specialists to determine whether there are any ongoing risks.
“You may now see our street cleaning crews and other officers working to assess and remove any remaining dust and debris from the incident.
“Although the impact to public health is minimal, there is always the possibility that asbestos containing materials may have been disturbed during the fire and building collapse.”
As reported by Cheshire Live, a 12-year-old boy has since been arrested by police on “suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life”. Police added that “enquiries are continuing”.
(Photograph by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service)