Ashton-under-Lyne's historic market hall caught fire in the early hours of this morning, Tuesday 25th May 2004.
The fire brigade was called out at 3.02am this morning and crew arrived four minutes later, when the Victorian Grade II listed building was already well alight, with flames issuing through the roof.
Additional fire appliances were called and at 5am around 90 fire officers were fighting the blaze, with 12 pumps and three aerial appliances. Police officers were also in attendance. There have been no injuries.
Wellington Road, from Penny Meadow to its junction with Oldham Road, is closed one way and is likely to remain so throughout today. Some other access roads are closed.
Most shops will be open fully, including the Arcades shopping centre, Ladysmith shopping centre and Wilkinsons.
The shops on Market St and some of the shops on Bow St (eg KwikSave) are likely to remain closed today for health and safey reasons. Council staff are now checking the safety of the remaining market structure, with the aim of saving the shell of the building. It is likely, however, that the walls will need to be shored up for the immediate future.
The usual Tuesday outdoor flea market on the market place is cancelled but markets staff are working hard to get it open again as soon as possible.
They are also working so that the monthly farmers market, due on Sunday, goes ahead.
Fire officers never did commit themselves to stating what they thought the cause of the fire was and no-one was ever arrested on suspicion of causing or starting the fire that destroyed this historic building.
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