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Fire service thanks Manchester public for cooperation while they worked to extinguish Hotspur Press fire
Crews worked under 'very challenging conditions' yesterday evening.
Emily Sergeant -
24th June 2025 
Manchester’s fire service has now thanked the public for their cooperation after crews worked under ‘very challenging conditions’ last night.
One of Manchester’s most historic landmarks has been left destroyed this morning after a huge fire erupted at the now-derelict Hotspur Press building, which is on Cambridge Street beside Oxford Road train station, late yesterday afternoon (Monday 23 June).
It was subsequently declared a ‘major incident’ by authorities.
Thick black smoke clouds could be seen for miles over the city centre from around 4:30pm onwards and into the evening, as fire crews worked to extinguish the blaze.
BREAKING 🚨 Huge fire in Manchester city centre right now – historic Hotspur Press is ablaze with major disruption to trains out of Oxford Road #manchester #mcr pic.twitter.com/SnA52oiqxm
— The Manc (@TheMancUK) June 23, 2025
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) confirmed that a total of 20 fire engines from across Greater Manchester were at the scene, tackling the blaze – which it said had spread to three floors of the building.
At the height of the blaze, two aerial units and more than 100 firefighters were working at the scene in warm and humid conditions.
Formal statements addressing the incident have already been made by Manchester City Council Leader, Cllr Bev Craig, and the UK’s Health Security Agency (UKHSA) – the latter of which provided relevant health advice.
But as of 9:40am this morning, with much of the fire extinguished despite crews still working at the scene, GMFRS has now issued a statement providing the latest updates on the incident and thanking the public for ‘allowing us to get on with the job’
“The fire spread to several balconies at the two tower blocks at number 1 Cambridge Street, and we took the decision to evacuate all residents,” explained a spokesperson for GMFRS. “Firefighters worked tirelessly to ensure all occupants made it out of the buildings safely and there are no reports of any occupants suffering ill health.
“Shortly after 9pm, once the major incident was lifted, the occupants of one of those blocks was able to return home, while the other remains closed as we work with Manchester City Council and the building owner to make the building habitable again.
🚨 Crews remain at the Hotspur Press building to monitor and dampen down remaining hotspots
— Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (@manchesterfire) June 24, 2025
🚒 Oxford Road train station and the railway lines have reopened but Cambridge Street remains closed
🧑🚒 Thank you to the public for your support while we tackled this incident
👇 Full… pic.twitter.com/iFqWMQ52XM
“Oxford Road station and the railway line have now reopened. Crews are still working on Gloucester St and the main area around the mill, but the main roads of Whitworth Street and access off the Mancunian Way have reopened.
“Crews will be joined by specialist fire officers later this morning to begin investigating the cause of the fire, as well as assessing the extent of the structural damage to the building.
Read more:
- Smoke billows across Manchester city centre as historic mill goes up in flames
- UKHSA issues health advice following huge fire at derelict Manchester city centre mill
- Greater Manchester council tax could be increased to improve region’s fire service
“We’d like to thank the public for allowing us to get on with the job last night under very challenging conditions.”
Featured Image – GMFRS (via Twitter)
