Firefighters tackling 450-tonne cardboard fire

A large blaze involving about 450 tonnes of cardboard is "well under control", firefighters have said, after smoke could be seen for miles around.

The fire at a recycling facility in Everite Road, Widnes, began at 16:27 BST on Monday and was declared a major incident by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service due to its size. No-one was hurt.

Twenty fire engines attended from Cheshire, with support from Lancashire and Greater Manchester. Numbers were reduced overnight, a fire service spokesperson said, adding: "Firefighters will continue to damp down the fire.

"A fire investigation still needs to take place, no indication yet as to how it started."

Cheshire Fire Service said on Tuesday: "We have six crews still at the scene, who are beginning the final phase of firefighting.

"This involves working with on-site personnel to excavate the smouldering debris to allow us to extinguish remaining pockets of fire. This will create some additional smoke for a short time."

The UK Health Security Agency North West warned smoke can be an irritant and advised local residents to stay indoors and keep their doors and windows closed.

Drivers in the area, meanwhile, are advised to "keep windows closed, turn off air-conditioning and keep air vents closed".

It added: "Ventilating your home is important when smoke is not present. If you cannot see or smell smoke, open windows and doors to let in fresh air.

"However, if smoke returns to your area, return inside and close all windows and doors until it has visibly cleared."

Anyone experiencing symptoms such as coughing or breathlessness which they believe may be related to smoke exposure should contact their GP or call NHS 111.

The fire spread rapidly on Monday and caused a heavy plume of smoke.

Due to the risk of the building collapsing, firefighters tackled the blaze from the outside.

Firefighters worked in three sectors to extinguish the fire systematically, with relief crews working overnight.

Only two roads remain closed near the scene - Everite Road and Ditchfield Road.

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