Arson blamed for fridge mountain fires

Arson blamed for fridge mountain fires

The first fire was in a separate part of the compound

A second fire at a fridge storage yard in Greater Manchester was started deliberately, the fire service has said.

Residents are again being advised to stay indoors and surrounding roads have been closed over fears the fire in Chadderton is producing toxic smoke.

On Thursday, the burning fridges produced 100-feet-high flames at Britannia Import Export on Stock Lane.

Crews were called out again at about 0600 BST on Friday.

The Environment Agency was called in and an investigation launched to assess the environmental damage caused by the first fire.

Digger trucks were used to break up the burning fridges and damp down the flames.

Divisional Officer Pete Stephenson, of Greater Manchester Fire Service, said they were confident that the fires were not accidental.

He said: "This latest one is in a separate part of the compound, so it looks like two separate fires which have been started deliberately.

"The cause is under investigation at the moment."