Fire crews remain overnight at Fiddler's Ferry as probe into blaze cause gets under way

A major fire tore through a chimney area at the decommissioned Fiddler's Ferry coal-fired power station near Warrington on Thursday, drawing crews from more than a dozen stations across Cheshire and Merseyside. Site owners Peel NRE confirmed the fire is now contained, all workers were safely evacuated, and no casualties have been reported. Residents nearby were advised to shut windows and doors as thick smoke billowed from the site, and a road closure on the A562 was lifted by mid-afternoon.

At its peak, nine fire engines plus an aerial ladder platform, high-reach turret, high-volume pump and command unit were deployed at the scene.

Peel NRE says it will fully cooperate with investigators looking into the cause, with fire service personnel set to stay on site through the night.

The station closed in March 2020 after nearly 50 years of operation; Peel NRE's redevelopment plans for the site include 860 homes and 101 hectares of employment land, to be delivered over the next 10 to 15 years.