A team of around 60 firefighters are combating a rooftop blaze involving three restaurants on Albert Square.
Emergency services including police and paramedics were called to the south side of Albert Square at around midday, after reports of strong smelling smoke billowing from the roof of Carlton House.
Although the fire is said to involve a kitchen to just one of the restaurants, firefighters are carrying out an extensive investigation for fire spread as all three restaurant kitchens share the same duct for extraction.
Station Manager Gary Jarvis, who is the incident commander, said: “We are doing a thorough search of the building to make sure nobody is inside and we are also trying to extinguish the fire which has reached the roof space.
“Because of the size of the building, we have quite a number of firefighters at the scene – there are currently 10 fire engines at the scene. We also have firefighters tackling the fire from above, using an aerial appliance.
“It is a busy part of Manchester, as it’s at the heart of the city, but because we have quite a bit of smoke issuing from the roof, we would encourage people to avoid the area if possible and to keep their windows closed.”
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service shared a series of live tweets from the scene.
UPDATE: we will soon have 40 firefighters at the scene of Albert Square. This is due to the size of the building pic.twitter.com/uyHDOZBKSj
— Manchester Fire (@manchesterfire) January 13, 2015
UPDATE: firefighters are entering the building wearing breathing apparatus so they can conduct thorough searches pic.twitter.com/yIhdVWKBoE
— Manchester Fire (@manchesterfire) January 13, 2015
The Fire Service still do not know the source of the fire and have closed a number of roads around the area for the safety of the public.
People at the scene have taken to social media to post pictures of the blaze.
Oh dear the lovely St Andrew’s Chambers by GT Redmayne from 1872 is on fire in Albert Square pic.twitter.com/tzCtFBfeyD
— Jonathan Schofield (@JonathSchofield) January 13, 2015
Major fire incident at Manchester Albert Square. pic.twitter.com/Yv9ZR5rEhY
— The Earl of Rutland (@Bigbrudda) January 13, 2015
