LIVE: Fire crews battle huge blaze near town centre - updates

Fire crews are battling a blaze close to Oldham town centre.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service confirmed five fire engines and a specialist aerial platform were called to the scene just before 5.20p on Saturday.

There have been no reports of any injuries at this stage.

The blaze is said to involve a derelict building off Lord Street, close to the town centre.

Videos being shared on social media show fire crews at the scene and large plumes of smoke billowing out into the sky.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “Shortly before 5.20pm this afternoon (Saturday 14th June), five fire engines from across Greater Manchester and the aerial ladder platform were called to reports of a fire involving a derelict building on Lord Street, Oldham."

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"Firefighters arrived quickly and are currently working to extinguish the fire. Crews remain in attendance at this time."

No further details have been revealed.

This is a breaking news story and updates we'll be posting updates in our blog below.

The building on fire is the Rifle Street drill hall, a former military installation in Oldham. It was built in 1897 as the headquarters of the 6th Volunteer Battalion, The Manchester Regiment.

The Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry (Royal Tank Regiment) had used the drill hall before moving out in the mid-1990s.

The site has been derelict for more than 10 years following a serious fire in 2011.

A number of roads have been closed off around the site of the blaze, including Rifle Street and Radcliffe Street.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said:

Shortly before 5:20pm this afternoon (Saturday 14th June),