Rochdale fire halts trains

OVER 100 fire fighters from across Greater Manchester are at the scene of a massive blaze at an industrial unit in Rochdale.
The fire broke out on Albert Royds Street just after 1.10am on Thursday morning and three homes close to the building have been evacuated.
The unit, measuring over 100 metres, is still fully involved in fire while Albert Royds Street remains closed and will do throughout the day. A nearby railway line is also closed and is affecting services between Todmorden and Rochdale.

A spokesperson from Northern Rail has said: "Due to the line-side fire between Rochdale and Todmorden it is unsafe to run trains along this route. There will therefore be no services between these stations until at least 09:00, disupting services between Manchester Victoria and Leeds.

"Train services from Leeds will terminate at Todmorden. Train services from Manchester Victoria will terminate at Rochdale."
Replacement shuttle services are being set up as follows:

• Manchester Victoria-Rochdale in both directions – Half hourly shuttles
  

• Leeds-Todmorden in both directions.
  

Replacement buses will also run between Rochdale and Todmorden.
Fire Crews are wearing breathing apparatus and tackling the fire with jets from above to put water on to the fire from height.

A large amount of smoke can be seen in the sky above Rochdale and local people are being advised to keep doors and windows closed. 

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