A good sized fire engulfed Manchester old Hotspur Press (Medlock Mill) close to Oxford Road station on June 23–24, 2025, prompting evacuation of close-by flats, closure of delivery, and deployment of 20 fire engines and one hundred firefighters.
No accidents have been reported. Authorities are actually investigating the purpose and assessing structural damage. Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service keeps to help citizens, coordinate restoration, and plan stepped forward fire protection measures.
What Happened: Clear Definition of the Incident
On June 23, 2025 at ~4:30 pm, the derelict Hotspur Press construction caught fire on Cambridge Street, Manchester metropolis centre. Flames unfold throughout 3 flooring, forcing evacuation of adjacent condo towers. Over one hundred firefighters, 20+ fire engines, and aerial structures answered. The fire changed into classified a “most important incident” through GMFRS and taken big disruption to local citizens and delivery services
This shape, at first Medlock Mill (constructed ~1801), later have become a printing press webweb page till 1996, and has remained unused looking ahead to a redevelopment into scholar accommodation
Step-through-Step: Emergency Response Timeline
Alarm Raised (4:30 pm, June 23)
Nearby citizens smelled smoke, prompting a 999 name and speedy arrival of GMFRS
Escalation to Major Incident
With heavy flames throughout 3 flooring and hazard to neighbouring flats, a chief incident assertion mobilized all to be had resources
Evacuations & Cordons
Two condo towers evacuated; citizens sheltered in relaxation centres and hotels. A cordon restrained Cambridge Street and adjacent roads
Firefighting Tactics
Ground crews targeted containment, even as aerial devices avoided upward unfolding. By 9 pm, the most important incident changed into formally downgraded
Transport Disruption
Nearby Oxford Road railway station confronted cancellations because of falling cinders—provider later resumed through 9:30 am, June 24
Post‑Fire Phase
Structural surveying commenced through fire research groups at the morning of June 24 to decide purpose and protection remediation
Practical Tips: What You Can Learn
For Residents
Be Ready to Evacuate: Stay vigilant whilst interior anciental or unused homes—smoke alarms, break out plans, and communique channels are critical.
Avoid Smoke Illness: If a fire occurs, preserve doors/home windows closed, and circulate to a non‑smoking room till cautioned through authorities .
For Local Authorities & Developers
Secure Derelict Sites: Empty historic homes have to be nicely secured to save you flammable incidents or squatters.
Conduct Regular Fire Risk Assessments: Even unoccupied systems want assessments for electric faults, arson, and particles buildup.
For Commuters & Visitors
Monitor Travel Alerts: Fires can disrupt rail and bus lines—use respectable delivery apps for real‑time updates.
Maintain Safe Distance: Flyovers and close by streets may also fall under cordons—adhere to commands and signage round incident zones
Trends in Urban Fires (2025)
Heritage Buildings Are Particularly Vulnerable: May lack current sprinkler structures. According to UK BIM and Conservation bodies, 45% of such systems lack energetic fire suppression structures.
Resource Mobilization Is Improving: GMFRS’s deployment of one hundred firefighters and a couple of aerial devices displays more suitable readiness.
Climate Effects Increase Fire Risk: Wetter winters and warmer summers may also make a contribution to quicker deterioration of disregarded infrastructure—calling for proactive inspections and maintenance.
Real-Life Examples of Similar Incidents
Hotspur Press blaze (June 2025): A vibrant instance of an historic shape converted into a chief incident, with commendable disaster management.
Feb 2025 lorry‑fire close to Wythenshawe Hospital: Ten fire home equipment answered to a blaze in an business estate, prompting police and ambulance help
Early 2025 Greater Manchester floods: During floods, GMFRS attended one hundred incidents, evacuated almost 1,000 people—showcasing multi‑risk handling
Lessons: inter-employer coordination and strong network caution structures shop lives.
How much do firefighters receive pay in Manchester?
Here’s an up to date examine firefighter pay in Manchester (Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service – GMFRS) as of mid-2025:
GMFRS Career Pay Scale
Data immediately from GMFRS suggests the subsequent 2023 annual salaries (nevertheless modern in 2025 until up to date collectively):
Trainee Firefighter: £27,178
Development Firefighter: £28,310
Firefighter (competent): £36,226
Crew Manager: £40,161
Watch Manager: £42,170
Station Manager: £48,116
Group Manager: £55,415
Area Manager: £65,056
These salaries mirror full‑time, whole‑time posts running about forty two hours according to week in 2-day/2-night time shift blocks, with 30 days’ annual leave (growing to 33 after 5 years), pension contributions, and further blessings like cycle‑to‑work, credit score union, and scientific schemes.
Extra Earnings & Pay Progression
Overtime: Paid at top class rates (frequently 1.5×), with many firefighters mechanically running greater shifts
Continuous Professional Development (CPD) payments: Typically £300–1,000/12 months relying on provider
Promotions: Moving up ranks (Crew Manager, etc.) substantially will increase base pay (see desk above) .
Pension: Generous Firefighters’ Pension Scheme — worker contributes ~11–14%, employer ~28.8% .
Why did the Manchester fire appear 28 days later?
In the movie 28 Days Later (2002), Manchester seems to be on fire as a part of the visible storytelling that illustrates the crumble of British society following the unfolding of the Rage virus.
Final Thoughts
The Hotspur Press blaze highlights now no longer most effective the significance of maintaining Manchester’s architectural history however additionally the want for rigorous fire protection in repurposed or deserted homes.
The rapid and complete movements of GMFRS avoided lack of lifestyles and unexpectedly managed the fire. As redevelopment plans proceed, a renewed emphasis on fire hazard assessments, set up of detection structures, and network preparedness can be important in future-proofing Manchester’s anciental city fabric.
FAQs
What is the Hotspur Press constructing?
Originally Medlock Mill, constructed circa 1801 as a cotton mill, it later have become a printing press earlier than mendacity derelict due to the fact 1996
Why did this fire happen?
The purpose is under energetic research through GMFRS. Preliminary findings and structural evaluation are anticipated to observe in coming weeks
How long did the incident last?
The fire commenced around 4:30 pm on June 23. By 9 pm, officers downgraded the incident. Residual operations and investigations are ongoing into June 24
What effect did it have on local delivery?
Oxford Road station closed temporarily; trains resumed early June 24. Nearby roads, consisting of Whitworth Street and Mancunian Way access, reopened after the most important incident changed into lifted
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