Dozens of firefighters from across Greater Manchester are currently tackling a major blaze at a landfill site in Bury this morning.
Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (GMFRS) confirmed that crews were called to a fire involving domestic waste at the Pilsworth Road site just after midnight, and urged people living and working nearby to keep windows and doors closed as firefighters battle the blaze.
The fire service took to Twitter to say that the situation is still “ongoing”, and there will be “disruption to the local area until it is resolved”.
Area Manager Ben Levy said that he was “very proud” of the work by firefighters at the scene as they “sustained efforts through the early hours of this morning have significantly reduced the impact of this fire.”
“The first crew on scene immediately assessed the situation and escalated the scale of the response.
“We now have 12 fire engines, plus off-road vehicles and the Scorpion special appliance from Salford fire station at the scene [and] the GMFRS drone unit is also in attendance supporting the operation by providing live aerial images to the incident commander and those in the Command Unit.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The fire is approximately fifty metres by fifty metres and involves domestic waste.
“There’s a large amount of smoke in the area so please keep your windows and doors closed if you’re nearby.”
This incident is the second fire at the site this year.
ADVERTISEMENT
The scene at the first major blaze at Viridor Recycling Centre back in April 2021 / Credit: GMFRS
Local residents may remember that back in April, firefighters declared a major incident after crews were called to a blaze at the Viridor Recycling Centre.
Dramatic drone footage of that fire showed it was “the size of a football pitch”.
Pilsworth Road in Bury is currently closed from junction three of the M66, to Moss Hall Road as crews work to extinguish the blaze.
A GMFRS spokesman said the blaze was “understandably causing disruption to the surrounding roads and will do so until the fire is extinguished”.
“Please avoid the area, keep your doors and windows closed if you’re nearby, and stay safe.”
Featured Image – GMFRS (April 2021)
News
Tribute paid to man ‘loved by so many’ stabbed to death in Levenshulme
Daisy Jackson
The brother of a man stabbed to death in Levenshulme has paid a heartbreaking tribute to him.
Zherko Rasul Osman was just 24 years old when he was fatally wounded in an incident on Chapel Street on Saturday evening.
Despite the best efforts of emergency services personnel, Zherko sadly died at the scene.
Now, his brother has paid tribute to him, saying he was ‘someone who was loved by so many’.
The touching tribute reads: “My brother was a kind, friendly and loving person who never looked for trouble or wanted to harm anyone.
“He was loved and respected by his friends, his mates and the neighbours in the community where he lived. He had a good heart and would always be remembered for the warmth and happiness he brought to those around him.
“His life was taken so suddenly and for no reason, leaving a pain and emptiness that words cannot describe. We are heartbroken that someone who was loved by so many is no longer here. He deserved to live his life and make memories with the people he loved.
“He will never be forgotten. His smile, his kindness and the memories we shared with him will stay in our hearts forever. We love you, and we will miss you every single day.”
Zherko Rasul Osman suffered serious stab wounds on Chapel Street in Levenshulme at around 7.06pm on Saturday 15 August.
A 23-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and he remains in custody for questioning. A 27-year-old man who had also been arrested on suspicion of murder remains on bail pending further enquiries.
Officers continue to make progress as the investigation continues. It is believed this was an isolated incident with no wider threat to the public.
Police are urging anyone who may have information to please report it through the dedicated online portal HERE.
Anyone in the Chapel Street area around the time of this incident, or who has mobile phone, CCTV, Ring doorbell or dashcam footage can contact police on 0161 856 9008 quoting the log number 2983 of 15/08/2026.
Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Government launches £442m drive to get rough sleepers off streets before Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has launched a £442m drive to get rough sleepers off the streets before Christmas.
Learning from ‘innovative’ approaches put into place during the pandemic, the Government has announced that new accommodation will be rolled out across England this winter, as well as offering practical help with housing, health, and other needs to support people to build a more stable life for themselves in the future.
The new commitment to offer everyone a route off the streets this Christmas, along with boosted funding, reflect the Andy Burnham‘s national drive to make ‘real change’ and get everyone playing their part in ending rough sleeping.
Not only will these plans change the lives of rough sleepers, but it’s also said they will have huge benefits for the country as a whole.
Research from homelessness charity Crisis suggests that by preventing 40,000 people from becoming homeless for a year, taxpayers could save around £370 million.
The Government has launched a £442m drive to get rough sleepers off the streets before Christmas / Credit: Number 10 Press Office | Jon Tyson (via Unsplash)
As well provisions to get people off the streets, and the intensive ‘wraparound’ support, the newly allocated funding will also help local areas deliver more than 1,000 ‘settled’ homes over the next three years, it has been confirmed.
Areas facing the greatest pressures will receive the largest share of support.
Working alongside councils, Mayors will play a leading role in driving local action to end rough sleeping, and will be tasked with making decisions that are right for their communities to deliver help where it’s needed most.
The Prime Minister says he ‘won’t accept’ rough sleeping any longer. He commented: “No one should have to bed down in a doorway or outside a station, but we’ve seen it for so long that it feels like Westminster has started to accept it.
“That’s why my first instruction as Prime Minister was to end rough sleeping, and it’s why today we’re getting started with a national drive to get everyone in for Christmas. We did it in the pandemic, we can do it again. But it needs all of us.
The Manc -
14th October 2021 
