FIREFIGHTERS from Chester and Ellesmere Port have been fighting through the night and today to battle a major fire at a warehouse.

Explosions were heard from the unit on the Golden Triangle Industrial estate and fire crews fought the blaze and nearby houses were evacuated.

Chester and District Standard:

At its peak sixteen fire engines were dealing with the incident - two from Runcorn, one from Widnes, one from Stockton Heath, one from Lymm, two from Ellesmere Port, two from Penketh, one from Birchwood, one from Warrington, one from Sandbach, one from Winsford and three from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service - as were aerial ladder platforms from Lymm and Chester.

Chester and District Standard:

Firefighters were called to the large fire in Harrison Street, Widnes, at 8.45 last night (Thursday, June 27).

The fire was declared a major incident and, on arrival, crews found a warehouse measuring 30 metres by 50 metres well alight.

Chester and District Standard:

Firefighters quickly began using a main jet to fight the fire. Two ground monitors were also used. The fire spread to the roof space and other industrial units.

Four industrial units measuring approximately 100 metres by 30 metres have been affected by the fire, which has caused a large amount of smoke. The fire has also affected residential addresses. Those addresses have been Widnes fireevacuated.

A 300-metre cordon was set up for safety reasons. As the fire spread residents living in and near the area were advised to stay indoors and keep their windows and doors shut as a precaution.

Chester and District Standard:

Motorists were advised to avoid the area. Due to the extent of it, the fire was sectorised.

Further fire engines, on top of the 12 that were already in attendance, were called to assist with the water supply.

Hose reel jets and ground monitors were used to protect nearby properties in a bid to stop the fire from spreading further.

Gas cylinders at the site were moved to a safe location. One casualty, a man, was given first aid by firefighters before being handed over to the care of paramedics. He had not been burnt by the fire.

Police also attended. Officers evacuated homes, approximately 50 in total, and controlled traffic.

Two boys, aged 12 and 13, have been arrested on suspicion of arson

In an update at 5.17pm today, Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service said crews with cooling jets remain in place to continue the dampening down of the affected area and the cylinders have been removed from the site.