Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue service have been working through the night to tackle a large fire at derelict former student halls of residence Castle Irwell.
Fire crews were called to the scene on Cromwell Road at around 8.30pm last night after large plumes of smoke were seen drifting into the sky, emanating from the campus’s former student union and bar.
Such was the scale of the fire, eyewitnesses say some of the smoke was visible up to a mile away.
Read more: Salford fire: Firefighters tackle huge blaze at former Castle Irwell student halls
According to the fire service, three fire engines and up to 20 officers remain on site this morning with ‘steady progress’ being made.
Water was pumped from the River Irwell to tackle the blaze to enable firefighters to jet the flames from a safe distance.
A spokesperson for the Service explained: “The building was well alight with seats of fire throughout the two-storey premises. A total of 10 fire engines were at the scene at the height of the fire, with more than 50 firefighters tackling the blaze.
“The team on site overnight has included specialist technical rescue firefighters and crew operating a hydraulic platform vehicle – similar to a ‘cherry picker’ – which enabled us to jet water into the building from above the roof. Crew have continued to battle throughout the night to get the fire surrounded.
It is not believed that anyone was inside the building or that anyone has been injured from the fire.
The cause is not yet known but police and fire services will be working together to investigate.
This is the second time in two weeks has been a fire on the site, which is still owned by the University, after incidents in June
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