Firefighters controlling 450-tonne cardboard fire in in Widnes

A large blaze involving about 450 tonnes of cardboard is “well under control”, firefighters have said, after smoke could be seen for miles on Monday evening.

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

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

Residents were warned to keep windows and doors closed overnight and to stay indoors. Some roads will remain closed on Tuesday.