A fire has been burning underground for two years in a Greater Manchester town. Colliery spoil left over from Leigh’s industrial past has been alight under Green Lane since 2021.
A three-week trial to extinguish the smouldering debris is now due to begin. Alongside Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, Wigan council has been closely monitoring the situation.
From mid-August, town hall staff will begin working on site with a specialist contractor to trial a new method, with the aim of extinguishing two of the fire’s hotspots on what is known locally as Queensway. Join our WhatsAp p Top Stories and Breaking News group by clicking this link Aidan Thatcher, director of place at Wigan council, said: "I really want to reassure everyone that there continues to pose no risk to the homes near to the underground fire, either from the fire itself or from the planned trial.
We want to be proactive in tackling the underground fire and ensure it continues to present no risk, and to reduce the impact it is having on the local woodland." The council is working with specialist designers and contractors Wardell Armstrong LLP and Landfill Projects.