GRADUS MILL DESTROYED BY FIRE

Firefighters are investigating whether anybody is still inside a derelict mill in the town which has been wrecked in a major fire.

Crews spent the night fighting the blaze at the old Gradus building on Park Green, Macclesfield.

Squatters have been known to live in the building in the past, but the structure is currently too dangerous to enter in order to search for anyone who may be inside.
Three storeys of the derelict mill were already on fire when fire crews were called out at 4.26am this morning.

Six engines and a hydraulic platform are continuing to fight the flames to prevent the spread to nearby houses, using four main jets to fight the fire.

The blaze eventually broke through the roof, but the crews were were able to get main fire under control after about an hour.

As a result of the ongoing fire on Mill Road has been closed from its junction with The Silk Road to Park Green traffic lights.

Park Street is closed from its junction with Churchill Way at the roundabout, to Park Green lights, to prevent large vehicles entering Sunderland Street and the low bridge at the far end. The diversion will be via Churchill Way, Hibel Road and The Silk Road.

Highways officers have been placing diversion signs around the town this morning to notify motorists.