Roberts Bakery blaze in pictures as firefighters remain at scene

FIREFIGHTERS have spent more than five hours tackling a blaze at the Roberts Bakery site in Northwich.

Four crews and an aerial ladder platform were initially called to the scene off School Lane South on the Gadbrook Park industrial estate shortly after 11am this morning.

But as the fire, which began in a flat-roof building, spread to the production area, more resources were diverted to assist, taking the total number of crews on site to 12 at the incident's height.

Staff at the bakery were all safely evacuated and no casualties have been reported, while Cheshire Police closed off the A556 while firefighters tackled the blaze.

Emergency services at Roberts Bakery (Image: Emma Thistleton)

Nearby residents, who could see big plumes of black smoke shortly after the incident began, were advised to keep their doors and windows shut as a precaution.

Firefighters continue to extinguish small pockets of flames and, as of 4.15pm, have begun scaling back the incident. They will remain at the scene into the evening.

A Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman confirmed crews attended from Northwich, Winsford, Chester, Lymm, Crewe, Wilmslow, Warrington, Middlewich, Penketh, Congleton and Tarporley, as well as Sale and Wythenshawe in Greater Manchester.

The aerial ladder platform at the Roberts Bakery fire (Image: Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service)

He added: "Firefighters attended a fire in a commercial bakery in Northwich.

"The fire involved a ceiling joist and scaffolding boards within one of the site buildings, measuring 250 metres by 200 metres.

"An evacuation of staff took place and utilities to the affected area have been isolated. No casualties have been reported.

"Crews positioned an aerial ladder platform to provide water to the fire from height.

"Local residents are advised to keep their windows and doors closed as a precaution owing to smoke in the area. There are road closures around the site so please expect local travel disruption.

"At 1.30pm the number of fire engines was increased to 12, plus two aerial ladder platforms and the service's high volume water pump.

"This was a well-developed fire in a temporary roof structure on a flat roof. The fire also spread to the production area.

"Aerial ladder platforms and main water jets were being used to fight the fire.

"Crews are continuing to extinguish small pockets of fire within the building using a main jet."

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