Overview
- Fire services were called to a blaze at a recycling facility on Everite Road in Widnes on Monday and officers declared a major incident as thick black smoke spread across the region.
- Cheshire Fire and Rescue initially reported about 700 tonnes of waste cardboard on fire but later assessments put the amount of affected material lower, with reporting citing roughly 450 tonnes.
- Firefighters fought the single‑storey 50m x 50m building from the outside after crews identified a risk of structural collapse and used support from multiple nearby stations and specialist pumps.
- Authorities closed Everite Road, Hale Road and Ditchfield Road and advised residents to keep windows and doors shut after witnesses reported explosions, a chemical smell, ash falling and breathing difficulty.
- By late Monday night crews had reduced numbers and described the incident as largely under control while firefighters remained on site to damp down hotspots and investigators await safe access to begin a cause inquiry.