UPDATE Schools Close And Smoke Consumes Rochdale After All-Night Blaze

More than 100 firefighters have been tackling a fire that started in an industrial unit in Rochdale in the early hours of this morning.

Due to the fire Belfield Community School, Springside School, Hamer Primary School and Brown Hill Learning Community will be closed today.

Albert Royd Street is closed at the junction of Milnrow Road and Kingsway up to Reservoir Street as firefighters deal with the fire.

Trains have also been affected, with a ll lines blocked between Rochdale and Todmorden. Buses will operate between these stations.

You can see here the size of the smoke plume which is blowing towards the east of Rochdale. Those local are reminded to keep doors and windows closed. pic.twitter.com/4jlCojQqUd

— Manchester Fire (@manchesterfire) February 8, 2018

Large clouds of smoke are drifting across Roachdale. Residents are being warned to keep windows and doors closed and avoid the area if possible.

Earlier this morning, some residents were forced to evacuate their homes.

More updates as we have them.

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