LIVE: Huge fire in Greater Manchester town as black smoke fills the air - latest updates

A huge fire has broken out in a Greater Manchester town.

Thick plumes of black smoke have engulfed the area on the edge of Rochdale town centre where six shipping containers have gone up in flames. Some of the roads around the blaze in Jermyn Street have been cordoned off with emergency services at the scene.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) were called to reports of a fire at around 6.15pm this evening (August 7).

The fire service has told the Manchester Evening News that it is using specialist equipment, including jets, to tackle the fire.

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One eyewitness told the M.E.N. that people in the area were 'panicking' and hoping that the fire does not spread further.

Mohammed Yousaf from the Auto Shop on Milkstone Road said that he saw around three fire engines at the scene.

Greater Manchester Police are also in attendance.

This is a breaking news story, follow below for live updates.

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