Middleton: Firefighters continue to tackle large blaze

Firefighters remain at the scene of a large blaze at a storage unit, nearly two days after it broke out.Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) crews were called out to Old Hall Street in Middleton at about 17:00 BST on Wednesday.A GMFRS spokesperson said four fire engines were still tackling the blaze at a large commercial storage premises."Due to the unsafe structure of the building, firefighting continues to take place externally," they said.
They added people had been advised to avoid the area with road closures still in place and residents asked to keep windows and doors closed if nearby. "We will continue to work alongside Rochdale Council and partner agencies to support local residents and businesses affected," they added.About 45 firefighters have been tackling the blaze, with many wearing gas marks.There are no reports of any injuries.
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Keep your lawn short and moist For most of the year in the UK, we don't need to worry about watering our established lawns, but in especially hot and dry weather, grass will need a helping hand. Don't be tempted to overwater; it's necessary to water your lawn only once or twice a week when there's no rain on the horizon, and it's better to give your lawn a good soaking infrequently than to water constantly. But far more important for fireproofing is to keep your grass short. 'Lawns can spread fire fast if they are not being maintained correctly,' says Smith. 'Tall or dry grass will catch fire quickly, and turn a small fire into a larger one. Keep your lawn short, and consider watering your grass during warm, dry weather, as a higher moisture content in the soil and grass blades can slow the spread of fire.' Place your barbecue in a safe spot Disposable barbecues cause havoc every year in hot weather and most outdoor leisure areas have visible warnings against using them because of the fire risk they pose. In your own back garden, using your barbecue is relatively safe, but where you decide to place it can be an important factor when it comes to the risk of a fire breaking out. Ensure your barbecue is placed on a flat surface, not on decking, and far away from sheds, trees and other plants. The type of barbecue you choose also has a bearing on your risk of fire breaking out. 'Hot and dry weather increases the risk of fires in your garden, and when pairing this with a coal barbecue, the risk of a fire breaking out in your garden increases massively,' says White. 'Where possible, use a gas one, or cook inside on particularly hot and dry days. This helps to minimise the risk of things in your garden catching fire.' 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